WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., took to the Senate floor Wednesday to honor East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) and its football team, the East Mississippi Lions, for winning this year’s National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) football championship. EMCC has won the national junior college football title five out of the past 10 years.

“What makes the East Mississippi Community College football program so special is the grit and determination that fuels its success,” Wicker said. “They are the comeback kids, rising above adversity to get back into the game.”

Wicker also congratulated East Mississippi’s head coach Buddy Stephens, who was named the NJCAA Football National Coach of the Year on December 19. This year, six of his players were named All-Americans, which tied for the most of any other school. Over the past 11 seasons with Stephens, East Mississippi has produced 32 All-Americans.

East Mississippi was also named the NJCAA Football Academic Team of the Year, recognizing the players who are successful both on and off the field.