LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Byron Abraham upon the occasion of his
induction into the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge those
outstanding individuals from the sporting world who have distinguished
themselves through exceptional performance, 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
Byron Abraham upon the occasion of his induction into the Greater Utica
Sports Hall of Fame, held on Sunday, June 6, 2010, at the Radisson
Hotel-Utica Centre; and
WHEREAS, Byron Abraham is a former Syracuse University Football stand-
out; in 1987, Abraham scored the decisive touchdown vs. West Virginia
that secured an undefeated season for the Orange and a trip to the Sugar
Bowl; in high school, the former Notre Dame Juggler held numerous
records in football, baseball and track prior to his graduation;
currently, Byron Abraham is the head football coach for his alma mater,
Notre Dame High School; and
WHEREAS, After a career where he would set numerous high school
records in football, baseball and track, including holding the Section
III record in 1982 for most rushing yards in a season and in a career
and also the Section III record in the 100m and 200m in track, Byron
Abraham was the most heavily recruited high school football athlete in
the entire Utica area in 1983; and
WHEREAS, When the University of Notre Dame called, the Notre Dame High
School star committed, and played in all of the Fighting Irish's games
as a true freshman; in his first game, Byron Abraham scored a touchdown
against Purdue University; in the Liberty Bowl that year against No. 10
Boston College, he helped secure a nail-biting win for the Irish 19-18;
and
WHEREAS, After transferring to Syracuse University in 1984, Byron
Abraham would become one of the Orangemen's leading offensive stars;
that year, he was the team's second leading rusher behind College Foot-
ball Hall of Famer Don McPherson, and the team would play in the Cherry
Bowl; and
WHEREAS, Byron Abraham's accolades have been numerous; some of the
most noted awards and honors he has received include: the 1983 All-Ups-
tate High School Player of the Year, being named as one of the Top 100
incoming Freshmen in the Nation by THE SPORTING NEWS magazine, a 1983
Adidas High School All-American in Football, the 1984 National Collegi-
ate Baseball League's Leading Hitter, CBS Co-Player of the Game in 1985
against the University of Pittsburgh, a Coca-Cola Player of the Game in
1987 against the University of West Virginia, and a 2003 selection for
the Notre Dame High School Brother More Sports Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, The careers of the inductees of the Greater Utica Sports Hall
of Fame provide a legacy of commitment and excellence, bringing them
distinction as well as serving as models of inspiration to all who would
aspire to growth and success; 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; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Byron Abraham upon the occasion of his induction into the Greater
Utica Sports Hall of Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Byron Abraham.