Senate Resolution No. 167

BY: Senator MAY

CONGRATULATING the Syracuse Strong Football Team
upon the occasion of capturing the Gridiron
Developmental Football League (GDFL) National
Championship on September 3, 2022

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those exemplary athletes and organizations that excel in professional
athletics, distinguishing themselves through notable achievements and
representing the great Empire State with pride and determination; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate the Syracuse Strong Football Team upon the occasion of
capturing the Gridiron Developmental Football League National
Championship; and

WHEREAS, To the praise and applause of their excited fans, the
number three ranked Syracuse Strong clinched the Championship after
defeating the number one ranked Inglewood Blackhawks in a thrilling
24-20 victory in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, September 3, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Proudly donning the team's colors, family members, friends,
and the community at large loyally and enthusiastically supported
Syracuse Strong throughout their journey as they ended their regular
season with an impressive overall record; and

WHEREAS, In addition to this monumental win, Syracuse Strong was the
2020 Runner-up of the AAA AFNT National Championship, 2019 AAA AFNT
National Champion, 2019 Northeastern Football Alliance League Champion,
2019 Northeastern Football Alliance Eastern Division Champion, 2019
Battle for Route Five Trophy Winner, and the 2018 Glory Bowl III
Champions; and

WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by the Syracuse Strong
Football Team is due in great part to the efforts of Head
Coach/Offensive Coordinator Marty Clanton, Defensive
Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Jason Howard, Defensive Assistant Matt
Jones, Wide-Receiver/Special Teams Coach Derrick Williams, Runningback
Coach Rodney Thompson, Strength and Conditioning Coach Tex Jones and
Stats Coach Lee Jennings, skilled and inspirational tutors, respected
for their ability to develop potential into excellence; and

WHEREAS, The hallmarks of the Syracuse Strong Football Team, from
the opening game of the season to their outstanding win in the Gridiron
Bowl XIII, were a brotherhood of athletic ability, of good
sportsmanship, and of honor, demonstrating that these team players are
second to none; and

WHEREAS, Sports competitions instill the values of teamwork, pride
and accomplishment; Head Coach Marty Clanton, his coaching staff and the
Syracuse Strong Football Team's outstanding athletes have clearly made a
contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their
organization; now, therefore, be it


RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the members of the Syracuse Strong Football Team: Martia
Rufus, DePaul Crowell, Dewayne Gordon, Josh Thomas, KJ White, Shakem
Buckmon, Laleak Hamilton, LaQuan Rouse, Rashad Burns, Kesean Sparks,
Pauleyike Porch, Shaquan Kirby, Josh Powell, Lorenzo Brown, Sultani
Campbell, John Elliott, Aaron Smith, Zavon Watkins, Alexander Heath,
Jeff McDuffie, Daquell Simmons, Patrick Twum, Ronald Pierce, Jr.,
Stephon Sua'rez, Damion Blue, Gemini Amey, Mike Flickinger, Rickeem
Boyd, Emmanuel Butler, Curtis Chaplin, Cameron Jackson, Kevin Lockhart,
Elbert Maeweather, Tom Stadnicki, Kahari Alford, Ryan Thurston, Nazere
Jones, Ray Barker, Dalton Cooley, Tim King Jr., Raquen Morris, Dwayne
Shaw, Silvano Roman, Nicholas LaPointe, Morris Sledge, Dominique Harris;
Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, Marty Clanton; Assistant Coach, Ed
Watkins; Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach, Jason Howard;
Defensive Assistant, Matt Jones; Wide-Receiver/Special Teams Coach,
Derrick Williams; Runningback Coach, Rodney Thompson; Strength and
Conditioning Coach, Tex Jones; Line Coach, James Wison; Line Coach Tex
Hamilton; and Stats Coach, Lee Jennings on their outstanding season; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members of the Syracuse Strong Football Team, Head
Coach/Offensive Coordinator, Marty Clanton; Assistant Coach, Ed Watkins;
Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach, Jason Howard; Defensive
Assistant, Matt Jones; Wide-Receiver/Special Teams Coach, Derrick
Williams; Runningback Coach, Rodney Thompson; Strength and Conditioning
Coach, Tex Jones; Line Coach, James Wison; Line Coach, Tex Hamilton;
Stats Coach, Lee Jennings; General Manager, Chris Gormon; and Team
President, Khalid Bey.