5623689 ACR 21-86, Washington Kastles Fourth Straight World Team Tennis Championship Recognition Resolution of 2015

a Ceremonial Resolution

21-86 

In the Council of the District of Columbia

July 14, 2015

 

To recognize the Washington Kastles for winning their historic 4th straight World Team Tennis Championship on July 27, 2014, the team’s 5th title since 2009.

 

WHEREAS, in 2008, Mark D. Ein founded the Washington Kastles, and remains the owner today;

 

WHEREAS, the Washington Kastles played their first match in downtown District of Columbia on July 8, 2008;

 

WHEREAS, in 2009, the Kastles won their first World Team Tennis (“WTT”) Championship;

 

WHEREAS, in 2011, the Kastles won all 16 of their matches, including the WTT Finals, to become the first team in the 40-year history of the league to complete a perfect season;

 

WHEREAS, in 2012, the Kastles completed an unprecedented 2nd straight undefeated season, winning their 3rd WTT title and increasing their unbeaten run to 32 matches;

 

WHEREAS, in 2012, Bobby Reynolds won the Mylan WTT Male MVP Award, Martina Hingis won the 2012 Mylan WTT Female MVP Award, and Coach Murphy Jensen won WTT Coach of the Year;

 

WHEREAS, in 2012, the Washington Kastles had some of the league’s top players: Leander Paes for men's doubles and Anastasia Rodionova for mixed doubles;

 

WHEREAS, on July 9, 2013, the Washington Kastles won their 34th consecutive match, defeating the Boston Lobsters 25-12, breaking the pro-team sports record of 33 wins in a row by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, and setting the longest winning streak in major U.S. pro-sports history;

 

WHEREAS, past and present Washington Kastles players have combined to capture 102 Grand Slam singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles;

 

WHEREAS, among the stars to suit up in Kastles red and blue are current World No. 1 Serena Williams and former World No. 1s Venus Williams, Leander Paes, and Martina Hingis, who all played major roles in the Kastles’ 5 championship runs;

 

WHEREAS, Martina Hingis, Leander Paes, and Venus Williams, who are all playing for the Kastles this season, have been honored with annual WTT awards: Leander Paes is a 2-time WTT Male MVP, Martina Hingis was named the 2013 WTT Female MVP and 2014 WTT Finals MVP, and Venus Williams earned 2012 WTT Finals MVP honors;

 

WHEREAS, in July 2014, the Washington Kastles moved into the indoor, state-of-the art Kastles Stadium at the Smith Center in Foggy Bottom;

 

            WHEREAS, the Washington Kastles finished the 2014 season with an overall record of 12-4 and on July 27, 2014, the Washington Kastles defeated the Springfield Lasers, 25-13, to win the 2014 WTT Championship;

 

WHEREAS, the Washington Kastles’ 2014 WTT Championship victory was the team’s 4th consecutive championship, a very rare feat among professional sports teams; and

 

WHEREAS, since 2011, the Washington Kastles have been the epitome of success, posting an amazing 58 – 6 record and capturing 4 championships.

 

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors the Washington Kastles and their contribution to sports and to the District of Columbia.

 

Sec. 2.  This resolution may be cited as the “Washington Kastles Fourth Straight World Team Tennis Championship Recognition Resolution of 2015”.

 

Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.