The news that the Gonzaga University men’s basketball team earned it’s first No. 1 ranking ever brought smiles to several faces at the Idaho Statehouse Monday morning.
Among them was Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwood, whose first cousin is Gonzaga star and NBA Hall-of-Famer John Stockton, whose son, David is on the Gonzaga squad.
“That’s awesome,” Nuxoll said. “I’m very proud of my cousin and his children.”
Secretary of State Ben Ysursa, who pitched for the Zags baseball team, said, “Go Zags. No. 1.” Ysursa said he hopes to land tickets for the first round, either in San Jose or Salt Lake City. He attended a game in Spokane last season.
Rep. Ed Morse, R-Hayden, said the success is a testament to hard work. “They just built and built and built their basketball program. You’ve got to admire (Coach) Mark Few.”
Rep. Fred Wood, R-Burley, didn’t go to Gonzaga but wears a Bulldog necktie. His connection is through son-in-law Mike Kelsey, who has two degrees from the school.
At the close of Monday’s Health and Welfare Committee hearing, which Wood chairs, Wood joked that the most important announcement he had for the week was the impending No. 1 ranking
