Assembly Resolution No. 1041

BY: M. of A. Kelles

CONGRATULATING the SUNY Cortland Men's Football
Team upon the occasion of capturing the NCAA
Division III Men's Football Championship on December
15, 2023

WHEREAS, Individual and team championships are highly sought after
in college sports; this Legislative Body commends rare athletic
achievements and pays special recognition to those who pursue such
excellence and become examples for the youth of this great Empire State;
and

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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate the
SUNY Cortland Men's Football Team upon the occasion of capturing the
Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, solidifying their place as the NCAA Division III
National Champions, held on Friday, December 15, 2023, at the Stagg Bowl
in Salem, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, To the praise and applause of their excited fans, the SUNY
Cortland Men's Football Team won the title in a decisive victory with a
final score of 38-37 against No. 1 ranked North Central, the champions
from last year; and

WHEREAS, The SUNY Cortland Men's Football Team program has a storied
history and tradition of athletic achievement, with eight conference
titles and 12 playoff appearances in the Division III Men's Football
Playoffs; and

WHEREAS, With an undefeated 6-0 conference record, the Red Dragons
dominated their competition in the 2023 season, outscoring their
opponents by 26 points on average per game, scoring 93 touchdowns this
season, and only allowing 40 touchdowns over a 14 game season; and

WHEREAS, The SUNY Cortland Men's Football Team's historic win
brought awareness to SUNY Cortland in the football world, with CBS
sports and other notable publications posting about the team on social
media; the Red Dragon's win is the first Football Championship the State
of New York has seen since Ithaca won the 1991 national title; and

WHEREAS, Proudly donning the school colors of red and white, the
community at large loyally and enthusiastically supported the Red
Dragons throughout their journey as they ended their dream season with
an impressive 14-1 overall record; and

WHEREAS, In a sport such as football, which demands athletic
prowess, speed and agility, and mental toughness, Head Coach Curt
Fitzpatrick and his coaching staff have worked hard to hone the skills
of this outstanding team, teaching these incredible athletes lessons
which will prove invaluable both on and off the field; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Curt Fitzpatrick, his expert coaching staff, and
all of the outstanding athletes on the SUNY Cortland Men's Football Team
have clearly utilized dedication, determination and teamwork in
providing a lasting contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a
tradition of their school; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the members of the SUNY Cortland Men's Football Team: Alex
Nunez, Eli Alvarez, Jaden Alfano St. John, Alex DeRosa, JJ Laap, Rashad
Tucker, Joe Iadevaio, Mark Noel, Ashton Capone, Cam Crosier, Andrew
Tarpey, Mike Mulhern, Zac Boyes, Luke Winslow, Mike Baloga, Cole
Burgess, Vin Mazzone, Troy Churney, Matt Lotter, JT Thuesen, Kaleb Paul,
Jaden Martinez, Shane Patterson, JC Mertz, Allen Flore, Patrick Luby,
Ryan Isom, Dennis DeBellis, Tyson Taylor, Logan Hurd, Naz Jean-Lubin,
Kyle Stracher, Ryan Costello, Jack Winey, Matt Fuggini, Marco McKnight,
Brett Harvey, Max Barone, Steve Riedel, Ethan Gallo, Ellis Einbinder,
Aidan Lochner, Garret Decker, David Romer, Tziah Owens, Craig Ackerman,
Sam Cotton, Brandon Beh, Anthony Luciano, Joe Ruggieri, Max Llewellyn,
Kymanni Dennis, Gavin Guers, Dan Becker, Ryan Bitka, Zack Thuesen, Jake
Ward, Bryce Carroll, Aaron Henry, Nicholas El Chami, Nate Parsons, Sahej
Walia, George Gjelaj, Wallace Wilson, Jon Kabes, Jack McGrath, Will
Laun, Jack Bonawandt, Alex Roca, Johnnie Booker III, Dougie Travis,
Hunter Hathaway, Jayden Lont, Aidan Glynn, Kevin Whalen, Nate Graser,
Jake Hromada, Cody Aikey, Will McCarthy, Connor Mooney, Jayson Zeva,
Ravi Dass Jr., Joey Penizotto, Omari Kendrick, Andrew Fiore, Joey
Muscarella, Nick Jordan, Connor Mahunik, Jeff Halusic, Aden Wiser, Will
Ligarzewski, Sam Maddi, Parker Kristoff, Junius Keys, Nick Lardaro,
Steve Baker, Will Ruckert, Matt Ferrer, Christian Powell, Nick Aldino,
Dion Brucaj, Jeff Cubino, Jackson Cypher, Jacob Dobricki, Gino Fulco,
Craig Galea, Aaron Jentz, Dylan Kiely, Matt Klamm, Ty Kolar, Joey
Leuzzi, CJ Messina, Patrick Moloney, Aaron Nieves, Sean O'Brien, Steve
Otremba, CJ Ozolins, Tomaso Ramos, Logan Wendt, Joe Young and Austin
Zaccagnino; Head Coach, Curt Fitzpatrick; Assistant Coaches: Patrick
Rotchford, Steve Cushing, Nolan Foley, Paul Shaffner, Kyle Gallagher,
Taj-Amir Torres, Joe Mack, Bill Spicer, Mike Connors; and Strength and
Conditioning Coordinator Phill Wiltshire upon the occasion of capturing
the NCAA Division III Men's Football Championship on December 15, 2023;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members of the SUNY Cortland Men's Football Team;
Head Coach, Curt Fitzpatrick; Assistant Coaches: Patrick Rotchford,
Steve Cushing, Nolan Foley, Paul Shaffner, Kyle Gallagher, Taj-Amir
Torres, Joe Mack, Bill Spicer, Mike Connors; and Strength and
Conditioning Coordinator Phill Wiltshire.