SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Several members of the NCAA Division III national champion Illinois Wesleyan University baseball team and coaching staff were honored at the Illinois State Capitol by Governor Pat Quinn on Tuesday, June 8.

In a ceremony in Quinn's office, the governor recognized the squad's 17-5 win over SUNY-Cortland on June 1 in Grand Chute, Wis., that earned the school its first-ever national baseball title.

"It really is pretty special," Quinn said, referring to the Titans' "Cinderella" drive to the championship after winning 11 of its final 12 games and 17 of the final 21. "You'll never forget this."

Head coach Dennis Martel accepted a proclamation from Quinn and thanked the governor for recognizing the feat. "What the kids accomplished was absolutely amazing," Martel told reporters.
Not all team members were able to attend due to summer or permanent job or other commitments. The meeting in Springfield with Quinn was initiated by a parent of a baseball team member.