Senate Resolution No. 1343
BY: Senator GRIFFO
HONORING Billie Mays Jr. upon the occasion of
being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
outstanding athletes who have distinguished themselves through their
exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Billie Mays Jr. upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports
Hall of Fame, to be celebrated at a Ceremony on Sunday, July 30, 2023;
and
WHEREAS, Every year, the Rome Sports Hall of Fame publicly commends
the pursuit of athletic excellence, recognizes those who have excelled,
and strives to preserve Rome's rich athletic heritage; Billie Mays Jr.
is truly deserving of this prestigious award; and
WHEREAS, The son of Kathy Upshaw and the man known around Rome as
Willie Mays, Billie Mays Jr. grew up on West Fox Street; even though
Willie passed away when Billie was a senior in high school, he will
always remember the lessons his parents taught him about being the best
he can be; and
WHEREAS, Billie Mays Jr. began his football career in the Pop Warner
program; with the guidance of several outstanding coaches, he played
fullback and linebacker in high school, becoming a perennial all-star,
MVP and Black "R" award winner at the Rome Free Academy; and
WHEREAS, Billie Mays Jr. was then recruited to play linebacker at
Ithaca College after high school; during his junior year in 1991, the
Ithaca Bombers football team played in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl (the
Division III national championship game) and beat Dayton 34-20; Billie
and the Bombers defense held Dayton to 13 yards of offense and no 1st
downs in the second half to help seal the win, and in that season, he
lead the team in tackles and earned All-American honors; and
WHEREAS, After graduating, Billie Mays Jr. coached both football and
track at the Rome Free Academy; in this capacity, Coach Mays helped
develop several individual sectional champions, a team sectional
championship and a few state champions; he also had one undefeated
outdoor track season in the spring of 2005; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife Tara, and their two
children, Mariah and Billie III, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Billie Mays Jr. has clearly made a contribution to the
spirit of excellence which is a tradition of his Rome community; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such outstanding athletic accomplishments are brought to
our attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Billie Mays Jr. upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome
Sports Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Billie Mays Jr.
