LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Syracuse University Men's
Lacrosse Team and Head Coach John Desko upon the occasion of capturing
the 2009 NCAA Division I National 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, teamwork, and competition; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those young people within the State of New York who, achiev-
ing outstanding success in athletic competition, have inspired and
brought pride to their college; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate the
Syracuse University Men's Lacrosse Team and Head Coach John Desko upon
the occasion of capturing the 2009 NCAA Division I National Champion-
ship; and
WHEREAS, To bring home a national title, as did the 2009 SU Men's
Lacrosse Team, is a remarkable achievement; the Orange defeated Cornell
by a score of 10 - 9 in the championship game at Gillette Stadium in
Foxboro, Massachusetts, to win its second consecutive national champion-
ship; this is the Orange's 11th national title, and the team has now
earned more titles than any other NCAA Division I program; and
WHEREAS, The SU Men's Lacrosse Team was down three goals with four
minutes left to play when it came back with an incredible four-goal
rally to defeat the Big Red; senior attackman Kenny Nims sent the game
into overtime with a lunging wrap-around goal with only 4.5 seconds
remaining, and Cody Jamieson's crease shot off a pass from Dan Hardy won
the game in sudden-death overtime; and
WHEREAS, No team, no matter how gifted one or a handful of its members
may be, can succeed without outstanding talent throughout its entire
roster; such was the case for the 2009 SU Men's Lacrosse Team whose
players included: Pat Perritt, Matt Abbott, Scott Kahoe, Max Bartig, Joe
Moore, Al Cavalieri, Jake Moulton, Josh Amidon, Kenny Nims, Joel White,
Spencer Van Schaack, Paul Dubas, Chris Daniello, John Galloway, Ryan
Barber, Sid Smith, Matt Tierney, Kevin Drew, Greg Niewieroski, Tim
Desko, Dan Hardy, Jovan Miller, Steve Ianzito, Joe Coulter, Lincoln
Cavalieri, Stephen Keogh, Mark Cahak, Bobby Eilers, David Hamlin, Tim
Harder, Adam Vogl, Pete Coleman, Sean McGonigle, Kyle Barrett, Tyler
Hlawati, Josh Knight, Nate Tucker, John Lade, Jeff Gilbert, Thomas
Guadagnolo, Cody Jamieson, Brandon Conlin, Gairet Myers, Alex Giocondi,
Anthony Bucco, Gavin Jenkinson, Nathan Farabee, Michael Williams, Bryan
Clegg and Spenser Parnell; and
WHEREAS, The success of the SU Men's Champion Lacrosse Team is due in
great part to the efforts of Head Coach John Desko and his outstanding
Assistant Coaches who include Lelan Rogers, Roy Simmons III and Volun-
teer Assistant Coach Kevin Donahue; the team was also assisted by the
never-ending encouragement and support of friends, family and the entire
Syracuse University College Athletic Department, as well as the Central
New York community; and
WHEREAS, The 2009 SU Men's Lacrosse Team shared noteworthy attributes
off the field as well as in competition; individually and collectively,
they constantly exhibited good sportsmanship and scholarship, thereby
demonstrating to themselves and to others that they have an enviable

combination of talent and character which reflects favorably upon their
school and their community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Syracuse University Men's Lacrosse Team and Head Coach
John Desko on their most successful season and overall team record, and
the capture of the 2009 NCAA Division I National Championship; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the members of the 2009 Syracuse University Men's Lacrosse
Team and its coaches.