Senate Resolution No. 1654
BY: Senator TEDISCO
PAYING tribute to the 1959 Mont Pleasant High
School Track and Field Team upon the occasion of it
being honored as part of a special Legacy Tribute
during the 22nd Annual Schenectady County Athletic
Hall of Fame and Reunion Dinner on September 16,
2019
WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be
achieved only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit,
nurtured by dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical
development of the young people of this State, preparing them for the
future by instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a
standard of healthy living, imparting a desire for success and
developing a sense of fair play and competition; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those outstanding athletes who inspired and brought pride
to their school and community by achieving outstanding success in
competition, 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 pay
tribute to the 1959 Mont Pleasant High School Track and Field Team upon
the occasion of it being honored as part of a special Legacy Tribute
during the 22nd Annual Schenectady County Athletic Hall of Fame and
Reunion Dinner on Monday, September 16, 2019, at Glen Sanders Mansion,
Scotia, New York; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious event will also commemorate the 60th
Anniversary of the 1959 Mont Pleasant High School Track and Field Team's
undefeated season; and
WHEREAS, The 1959 Mont Pleasant High School Track and Field Team
finished the season undefeated, winning three dual meets, the Rye
Invitational and the Utica Interscholastic Track and Field Meet; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, this extraordinary team tied powerful Bishop
Loughlin of New York City to capture the Schenectady Interscholastic
Sports Carnival Title, and easily won the Class A Sectionals, winning
eight of 12 events with an 8-0 record, outscoring its opponents 212-83;
the number one ranked Patriots also captured the New York State Class A
Championship; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by the 1959 Mont Pleasant
High School Track and Field Team was due in great part to the efforts of
Schenectady Central School District Hall of Famers Head Coach the late
Ray Vacca and Assistant Coach Larry Mulvaney, skilled and inspirational
tutors who did a superb job in guiding, molding and inspiring the team
members toward their goals; and
WHEREAS, Gifted athletes, the 1959 Mont Pleasant High School Track
and Field Team proved themselves to be an unbeatable combination of
athletic and academic talents, whose character and achievements stand as
a sterling example and inspiration to all who would aspire to success;
and
WHEREAS, Loyally and enthusiastically supported by family, fans,
friends and the community at large, the 1959 Mont Pleasant High School
Track and Field Team clearly made a contribution to the spirit of
excellence which became a tradition at their school; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
congratulate the members of the 1959 Mont Pleasant High School Track and
Field Team: Bruce Baluch, Jr., Dick Batista, Paul Battaglino, Don Blaha,
John Bowe, Paul Brisson, Larry Canell, Jim Crannell, Jack Edwards, John
Farry, Tom Farry, Dick Fazzone, Sam Ferrucci, Gary Gilbert, Ron Horan,
Mike Keigher, Bob Lewkowicz, Joe Mackey, Pat Maney, Jonell Marion, Paul
McDonald, Doug Meyer, Jeff Mirate, Lou Paparella, Steve Pedersen, Ed
Russell, Jim Scott, John Skibinski, Paul Surin, Jerry Symeon, Luciano
Toffolo and Gary Watrous; the late, Al Bojarski, Jim Bowers, Gary
Carmichael, Nathaniel Croxton, Steve Furbert, Wayne Leece, Sal Madelone,
Tom Nicklaw and Jerry Vinehout; Head Coach the late Ray Vacca; Assistant
Coach Larry Mulvaney; and Team Manager Dick Blanchard on their
outstanding season and overall team record; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members of the 1959 Mont Pleasant High School Track
and Field Team, Assistant Coach Larry Mulvaney, Team Manager Dick
Blanchard, and the families of its deceased team members and Head Coach
Ray Vacca.