Senate Resolution No. 5674

BY: Senator TEDISCO

HONORING John Parillo upon the occasion of his
induction into the Schenectady City School District
Athletic Hall of Fame on September 17, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 Parillo upon the occasion of his induction into the Schenectady
City School District Athletic Hall of Fame, to be celebrated at its 21st
Annual Reunion Dinner on Monday, September 17, 2018, at Glen Sanders
Mansion in Scotia, New York; and

WHEREAS, John Parillo is an esteemed graduate of Nott Terrace High
School where he distinguished himself by his many notable achievements
in cross-country and indoor and outdoor track, holding numerous high
school and college records; and

WHEREAS, An exceptional athlete, John Parillo began his successful
run as the hero of the cross-country team when he finished 4th in the
1950 Sectional Cross-Country Meet, and 9th in the 1950 New York State
Class A Intersectional Cross-Country Championship; and

WHEREAS, John Parillo placed second at the New York University Run
twice, St. John's University Interscholastic Run and the Fordham
University Scholastic Run; in 1952, he easily broke the existing course
record, winning the New York State Cross-Country Championship; and

WHEREAS, In that same year, John Parillo won the Proctor X-Country
Run in record time, broke the Grout Run record, and won the Invitational
X-Country Meet; and

WHEREAS, On October 27, 1952, the Union Star recognized him as "One
of the east's best schoolboy harriers"; and

WHEREAS, In addition to cross-country, John Parillo excelled in
track and field, setting the Nott Terrace High School indoor mile record
and placing third in the 1951 Sectional mile; he also led the two-mile
relay team to victory in the 1952 Schenectady Interscholastic Sports
Carnival; and

WHEREAS, Recruited by several prestigious universities, John Parillo
served as team captain of the cross-country and track teams at Union
College; in 1955 and 1956, he was undefeated in 13 dual and triangular
cross-country meets and set records at Union College, Alfred University,
Colgate University, Vermont College and Hamilton College; and

WHEREAS, John Parillo set a new course record and captured the 1955
New York State Small Colleges Cross-Country Championship, the two-mile
race at the 1956 New York State Collegiate Track and Field Association

Championships, and the mile race in record time at the 1957 New York
State Small College Track and Field Championships; and

WHEREAS, In 1956, competing against runners from all collegiate
levels, he finished 18th in the IC4A Cross-Country Championship at Van
Cortland Park and 24th in the NCAA Cross-Country Championships at
Michigan State; and

WHEREAS, After college, John Parillo proudly served his country as a
flight surgeon in the United States Air Force; upon the completion of
his military service, he has served his community as a urologist for 55
years; always a runner at heart, John Parillo competed in several
marathons including Boston, London, Lake Placid and Fukuoka, Japan; and

WHEREAS, In addition to being inducted into the Schenectady City
School District Athletic Hall of Fame, John Parillo is a member of the
Union College Athletics Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor John Parillo upon
the occasion of being inducted into the Schenectady City School District
Athletic Hall of Fame for his extraordinary accomplishments which were a
tribute to his skill, dedication and commitment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor John Parillo upon the occasion of his induction into the
Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame on September 17,
2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to John Parillo.