University of Illinois men's golf coach Mike Small and his championship team are among the nation's elite.

Congratulations are due to members of the Fighting Illini men's golf team, which captured the Big Ten championship over the weekend at Kampen Course in West Lafayette, Ind.

And no one should forget UI golf coach Mike Small, who saw his team capture its third straight conference championship.

Any Big Ten championship in any sport is, of course, worth celebrating. Achieving success at that high level requires not only skill and practice, but a cool demeanor and a steely determination. But to do it three times in a row requires a continuing commitment to excellence over a long period of time by a number of different athletes.

The only constant in a streak like that is the coach, and Small has demonstrated he is one of the best in his sport.

Being a coach, of course, Small could not be expected to express satisfaction with the Big Ten championship. He immediately urged his players to use the conference title as a launching pad to a national title.

They already have had a great year. But when regional play begins May 19, the men's golf team can be expected to make another solid showing.