May 5, 2009
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Siena College Men's Basketball Team upon the occasion of capturing the 2009 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship
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, On Monday, March 9, 2009, the 2008-2009 Siena College Men's Basketball Team achieved unparalleled excellence for the second year in a row by capturing their second consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Basketball Championship; and
WHEREAS, Using a super second half to defeat Niagara 77-70 in front of 9,744 fans in downtown Albany, the 2008-2009 Siena College Men's Basket- ball Team became one of the College's best teams ever; this win is the first time that Siena has won back-to-back MAAC Tournament titles in school history; and
WHEREAS, The 2008-2009 Siena College Men's Basketball Team earned their second straight invitation to the prestigious NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament; this is Siena's fifth trip to the NCAA Tourna- ment; and
WHEREAS, The MAAC Championship win against Niagara gave Siena their 21st consecutive victory at home; it ties Siena for the third longest home winning streak in the country; and
WHEREAS, The inspired play of the 2008-2009 Siena College Men's Basketball Team built an unprecedented loyal following of students, faculty, staff, alumni and local community support; and
WHEREAS, The 2008-2009 Siena College Men's Basketball Team was marked by both inspired team play and individual excellence, epitomized by the selection of senior co-captain Kenny Hasbrouck as the Tournament's Most Valuable Player, and by the selection of junior point guard Ronald Moore and junior Alex Franklin to the All-Tournament team, along with Hasbrouck; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great part to the efforts of Head Coach Fran McCaffery and his talented team of assistant coaches, skilled and inspirational tutors, respected for their ability to develop potential into excellence; and
WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the 2008-2009 Siena College Men's Basketball Team members have proven themselves to be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favorably on their school; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Fran McCaffery and his team of assistant coaches have done a superb job in guiding, molding and inspiring the 2008-2009 Siena College Men's Basketball Team members toward their goals; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and accomplishment, and Head Coach Fran McCaffery and his assistant coaches, and the 2008-2009 Siena College Men's Basketball 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 2008-2009 Siena College Men's Basketball Team, its members, and Head Coach Fran McCaffery and his assistant coaches on their outstanding season, overall team record, capturing the 2009 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship, and their NCAA Tournament participation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran- smitted to the members of the 2008-2009 Siena College Men's Basketball Team, and to Head Coach Fran McCaffery and his assistant coaches.
