Senate Resolution No. 5776

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

COMMENDING Michael Messere upon the occasion of
his retirement after serving for more than 40 years
as Head Coach of the West Genesee Boys Varsity
Lacrosse Team

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor the distinguished careers of those esteemed individuals within our
midst whose lives have been committed to the pursuit of excellence and
who bring great pride to the citizens of our Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Michael Messere upon the occasion of his retirement after
serving for more than 40 years as Head Coach of the West Genesee Boys
Varsity Lacrosse Team; his outstanding career will be commemorated at a
"Celebration of Coach Messere," hosted by the Class of 1981 West Genesee
Alumni and the John Pepper Memorial Athletic Fund Committee at the
Onondaga Community College SRC Arena on July 28, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Coach Michael "Mike" Messere was born in Solvay, New York,
and grew up in Fairmount; Coach Messere, a 1962 graduate of West Genesee
High School, was a member of his high school football, wrestling, and
lacrosse teams; and

WHEREAS, Mike Messere studied at the State University of New York at
Cortland where he played lacrosse all four seasons; in 1966, he earned
his B.S.E. in physical education from SUNY Cortland and was inducted
into the SUNY Cortland Hall of Fame in 1985; and

WHEREAS, Upon his graduation, Mike Messere returned to Syracuse to
teach elementary physical education for two years in the city school
district; from 1968-1974, Mike Messere taught health and physical
education at West Genesee Junior High School, before moving on to teach
physical education at West Genesee Senior High School for 24 years; and

WHEREAS, In 1976, Mike Messere was named to the position of head
coach of the West Genesee High School Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team and the
dynasty began; and

WHEREAS, Under Mike Messere's leadership, the West Genesee Boys
Varsity Lacrosse Team has achieved over 840 wins and 11 undefeated
seasons; the West Genesee Boys Varsity Lacrosse team has also won over
30 Section III Championships; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Mike Messere has led the West Genesee Boys
Varsity Lacrosse Team to win 15 New York State Class A Championship
titles; no lacrosse coach - high school or college - has had more wins
than Mike Messere; and

WHEREAS, In his last season coaching high school lacrosse, Mike
Messere once again led his team to the New York Public High School
Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) State Championship; and

WHEREAS, For his accomplishments as a lacrosse coach, Mike Messere
has been inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, the National
High School Hall of Fame, and into the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Mike Messere founded and still directs his own Shove Park
Developmental and Recreational Lacrosse Program, which has grown from 13
participants in 1974 to 490 participants a decade later; and

WHEREAS, In addition to coaching lacrosse, Mike Messere has coached
football and wrestling and has volunteered his time to the Fairmount
Fire Department's Emergency Squad; and

WHEREAS, The quality and character of life in the Central New York
community has been ably served and uniquely enriched through the
selfless dedication and benevolent concern of Coach Mike Messere; and

WHEREAS, Upon his retirement, Mike Messere will have more time to
spend with his family including his wife of 49 years, Barbara, and their
two children, Michael and Amanda; and

WHEREAS, Mike Messere, in every capacity in which he has served, has
left a permanent mark on the Central New York community; he will forever
be remembered as a determined, innovative and genuinely concerned expert
and mentor in his field; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Michael Messere upon the occasion of his retirement, and wish
him continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Michael Messere.