WASHINGTON – Arkansas Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton recognized the Harding University Bisons football team on the Senate floor for winning the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship.

 The Bisons defeated Colorado School of Mines for the national title on December 16, 2023.

 “The hard work of the players, dedication of Coach Paul Simmons and his staff, as well as the enthusiastic support of alumni, fans and the Searcy community were all critical to making this dream come true,” Boozman said on the Senate floor. “Arkansans are thrilled to commemorate Harding’s outstanding season. As Bisons players, coaches and fans are painting Searcy black and gold this week to celebrate these champions, it is truly a time to honor them.”

 “This championship victory is the culmination of years of hard work, dreaming, and above all, prayer. For those who don’t know, Harding University is a small Christian college in the center of our state. And Harding’s Christian mission touches every part of the university—including its football program. In his pregame speech, Coach Paul Simmons told his players that ‘the scoreboard doesn’t matter’ and that the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ around them ‘just want to see you be excellent and do things in a way that really does honor God.’ A great message from a great coach before a great game,” Cotton said on the Senate floor.

 Watch the senators highlight the success of Harding Bisons football.

 Boozman and Cotton also introduced a resolution recognizing the dedication and hard work of the players and coaches to accomplish an undefeated season and win the national championship.

 Read the resolution here.