Honoring Nelson Griffin upon the occasion of his induction into the Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame on September 14, 2026

Senate Resolution No. 2301

BY: Senator TEDISCO

        HONORING  Nelson  Griffin upon the occasion of his
        induction into the Schenectady City School  District
        Athletic Hall of Fame on September 14, 2026

  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
development 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,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those outstanding athletes who inspired and brought pride
to their school  and  community  by  achieving  outstanding  success  in
competition,  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
Nelson  Griffin  upon the occasion of his induction into the Schenectady
City School District Athletic Hall of Fame at its 2026 Schenectady  City
School  District  Athletic  Hall  of  Fame  &  Reunion Dinner on Monday,
September 14, 2026, at the Event  Center  at  Rivers  Casino  &  Resort,
Schenectady, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Nelson  Griffin  lettered  in  cross  country,  indoor and
outdoor track, and wrestling at Mont Pleasant High School, excelling  as
a  hurdler  and  sprinter on three Mont Pleasant Section II championship
outdoor track and field teams; and

  WHEREAS, Nelson Griffin was the anchor runner  on  a  school  record
setting 440-yard relay team in 1968; and

  WHEREAS,  Following  a  stellar  high school track and field career,
Nelson Griffin went on to letter in track and field at SUNY  Farmingdale
and SUNY Cortland; and

  WHEREAS,  Nelson  Griffin ultimately returned to Schenectady and was
the boys' varsity outdoor track and field coach at  Mont  Pleasant  High
School and Schenectady High School for a total of 31 seasons; and

  WHEREAS,  Nelson Griffin's Mont Pleasant teams won Class B Sectional
Track and Field championships in 1989 and 1990, and his 2001 Schenectady
High School team finished undefeated and won the Section  II  Class  "A"
Championship   Meet,   as   well   as  the  Eddy  Meet  and  Schenectady
Invitational; and

  WHEREAS, Nelson Griffin coached 51 Sectional champions, had a 202-32
record in Big Ten Conference dual meets, won seven  Big  Ten  dual  meet
championships and eight Big Ten Meet Championships; and


  WHEREAS,  Recognized  for  his leadership and administrative acumen,
Nelson Griffin was the Big Ten Track & Field  chairman  (1987-2007)  and
Everett  Grout  Cross Country Meet director (1992-2001); now, therefore,
be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
honor  Nelson  Griffin  upon  the  occasion  of  his  induction into the
Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame on September  14,
2026; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Nelson Griffin.