LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring John Pitarresi upon the occasion of his
induction into the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 John
Pitarresi upon the occasion of his induction into the Greater Utica
Sports Hall of Fame, to be celebrated on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at
Harts Hill Inn, Whitesboro, New York; and
WHEREAS, Entering the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame in the
Outstanding Supporter/Promoter category, John Pitarresi began his illus-
trious career in 1972, spending 43 years as a sports reporter and colum-
nist for the Utica Newspapers; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, John Pitarresi covered every sport
imaginable, from youth leagues to the professional ranks, and occa-
sionally working on the news side at THE DAILY PRESS and THE OBSERVER
DISPATCH; and
WHEREAS, John Pitarresi chronicled many outstanding teams, including
the 1982 Atlantic Coast Hockey League champion Mohawk Valley Stars, the
1983 New York-Penn League champion Utica Blue Sox, the 1984 New York-
Penn League champion Little Falls Mets, Colgate University's 2003 Patri-
ot League champion NCAA FCS finals football team, Syracuse University's
2003 NCAA championship basketball team, Hamilton College's 2008 national
championship women's lacrosse team, and the Utica Comets 2015 Calder Cup
Finals team; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of more than four decades, John Pitarresi
followed high schools and colleges, amateurs and professionals, the
annual Baseball Hall of Fame inductions, and everything from table
tennis to professional boxing; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, John Pitarresi's work also included feature
stories and profiles of scores of prominent local and national sports
figures; and
WHEREAS, A champion of the outdoors, John Pitarresi has also penned an
award-winning column that is the best source of information about the
wondrous local resources, sportsmen and sportswomen; and
WHEREAS, John Pitarresi is a native of Niagara Falls, New York, and a
graduate of LaSalle High School, where he played football and baseball;
he went on to graduate from Hamilton College in 1970, during which time
he was co-captain of the football team and captain of the lacrosse team;
and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such outstanding athletic accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized by all members of this great Empire
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor John Pitarresi upon the occasion of his induction into the Greater
Utica Sports Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Pitarresi.