LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Joanne S. Cox of James I. O'Neill
High School upon the occasion of being selected as the 2009 TIMES
HERALD-RECORD Varsity 845 Girls' Lacrosse Coach of the Year

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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those indi-
viduals of outstanding character within the State of New York who are
dedicated to developing character and sportsmanship in our young people;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Joanne S. Cox of James I. O'Neill High School upon the occasion of
being selected as the 2009 TIMES HERALD-RECORD Varsity 845 Girls'
Lacrosse Coach of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Joanne Cox earned her Bachelor's degree in Health and Phys-
ical Education from West Chester University; in addition, she received
her Master's degree in Physical Education from Wake Forest University;
and
WHEREAS, A K-2 physical education teacher at Fort Montgomery Elementa-
ry School, Joanne Cox took over the O'Neill program in 1997; the first
two seasons of her tenure, O'Neill played as part of West Point Youth
Services and played private schools and Section 1 teams; O'Neill was
winless in those two years and Joanne Cox picked up her first win, iron-
ically, against current section powerhouse Kingston in 1999; and
WHEREAS, Joanne Cox then earned her first Section 9 Class C title in
2004, which was her first winning season finishing with a 16-4 record,
and then reeled off five consecutive section championships; of all those
section title teams, Joanne Cox mentioned that the 2009 season's team
was the most memorable; and
WHEREAS, Joanne Cox, who was a gymnastics coach for 20 years, has a
103-63-1 career record, and has had a winning season each of the past
six seasons; and
WHEREAS, Since O'Neill was the first Girls' lacrosse program in
Section 9, Joanne Cox was instrumental in beginning the varsity program
and helped other Section 9 schools get their programs started; and
WHEREAS, A skilled and inspirational tutor, respected for her ability
to develop potential into excellence, Joanne Cox has done a superb job
in guiding, molding and inspiring the James I. O'Neill High School
Girls' Lacrosse Team toward its goals; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and Joanne Cox has clearly made a contribution to the
spirit of excellence which is a tradition at James I. O'Neill High
School; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, With Joanne Cox throughout have been her husband, Matthew,
and their daughter, Ansley, both of whom feel privileged to be a part of
her life and rejoice in her achievements; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Joanne Cox and to wish her continued
success in all of her future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Joanne S. Cox of James I. O'Neill High School upon the
occasion of being selected as the 2009 TIMES HERALD-RECORD Varsity 845
Girls' Lacrosse Coach of the Year; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joanne S. Cox.