LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Panthers of Babylon High
School upon the occasion of capturing the Long Island Class IV Champion-
ship

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 develop-
ment 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, The Panthers finished their second straight undefeated season
with a 27-26 victory over Roosevelt High School; this special victory
extended Babylon's winning streak to 24, the longest on Long Island, and
helped it become the first team to produce back-to-back 12-0 seasons;
and
WHEREAS, The Babylon Panthers are the first team to win the Rutgers
Trophy in back-to-back seasons since 2005-2007; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of Head Coach Rick Punzone, a skilled and inspira-
tional mentor, respected for his ability to develop potential into
excellence; and
WHEREAS, The team's overall record is outstanding, and the team
members were loyally and enthusiastically supported by family, fans,
friends and the community at large; and
WHEREAS, The hallmarks of the Babylon High School Varsity Football
team from the opening game of the season to participation in league
play, to capturing the Long Island Class IV Championship, were a broth-
erhood of athletic ability, of good sportsmanship, of honor and of scho-
larship, demonstrating that these team players are second to none; and
WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the team members have proven
themselves to be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favor-
ably on their school and community; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Rick Punzone and his coaching staff have done a
superb job in guiding, molding and inspiring the 2013 Babylon High
School Varsity Football team members toward their goals; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment; Head Coach Rick Punzone, his coaching staff, and the
2013 Babylon High School Varsity Football team's outstanding athletes
have clearly made a 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 2013 Babylon High School Varsity Football team, its
members: Scott Sasso, Zach Amelia, Chris Costanzo, Kenny Rohl, Jason
Carlock, Brian Boehm, Max Kresek, Sean Quigley, K'Sean Reid, CJ Martino,
Henry Brunjes, George Pirgousis, John Larsen, Stephen Schweitzer, Steve
Cavalieri, Joe Cappello, Dylan Dreher, Eddie Vega, Shawn Tripp, Ryan
Ray, John Visgauss, Jack Kresek, John Botto, Liam Young, Nick Rachwal-
ski, Matt Lauri, Joe Cosby, Matt Visgauss, Ryan Matthews, Joe Marrone,
Juawun Porter, Sam Dickran, James Messina, Joe Savastano, Luke Zappia,
Peter Donaldson, Jon Bell, Rich Wilson, Tyler Virga, Nick Crawford, Shea
Amdur, Tazon Rogers, Tyler Christansen, Jon O'Brien, AJ Giuliano,
Patrick Delaney, Ray Wardell, Matt Pinto, Eric Schweitzer, Nick Santo-
relli, and Jake Carlock, and Head Coach Rick Punzone on their outstand-
ing season, overall team record; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the members and coaching staff of the 2013 Babylon High
School Varsity Football team.