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To alumni, students, faculty and staff of UNI and the entire Cedar Valley community: As a graduate of UNI I have always believed that we as alumni have a unique sense of pride toward our university. That pride was never more evident than on December 16, 2005, the day of our national championship game in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Prior to the game I was asked to speak at the pep rally held in a pavilion close to the stadium. I will always remember that moment because for me it displayed all the emotions of pride and accomplishment of our program and our university. I wish every alum could have stood on that stage with me as I addressed the thousands of purple-clad fans cheering a deafening chant of ‘U-N-I…U-N-I!’ 
I wish every alum could have seen how our community and state rallied together to display the pride of its association with our university. And I wish we all could have seen our alumni from across the country pull out the old sweatshirts and UNI apparel so that they could wear their school colors to work, take pride in their university’s accomplishments and show everyone where they came from. At that moment, on the national stage, we were all winners! 
Our season was defined by a group of players that showed a resilience that could break down barriers of extreme odds, a work ethic and determination that would prepare them for success, and pride for who they played for as much as who they played with. These are all the same qualities of every alum of the University of Northern Iowa. This was our day to show the country those qualities and our passion for UNI. Thank you for making the 2005 season a ride to remember. Mark Farley
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