LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Coach James Kelly of Middletown
High School upon the occasion of his designation as 2010 TIMES
HERALD-RECORD Varsity 845 Basketball Coach of the Year

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize those individuals within our midst who have contributed great-
ly to the quality of our lives by providing exceptional leadership and
commitment to our youth; and
WHEREAS, It is acknowledged that 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 team-
work, encouraging a standard of healthy living, imparting a desire for
success and developing a sense of fair play and competition; and,
further, that excellence and success in competitive sports can be
achieved only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, all
of which are nurtured by dedicated coaching; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Coach James Kelly of Middletown High School upon the occasion of
his designation as 2010 TIMES HERALD-RECORD Varsity 845 Basketball Coach
of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Coach James Kelly inherited a team that won three games the
year before, and guided it this year to a 17-3 record; he is the Varsity
845 Coach of the Year; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Middletown High School, James Kelly played for
the school's basketball team and moved on to SUNY Orange; not being
recruited, he walked on and made the team, but didn't play very much;
after graduating there, he went to SUNY New Paltz where he walked on and
didn't play very much; and
WHEREAS, Always loving and having a passion for basketball, James
Kelly came back to Middletown as its modified coach in 1998, moved to
the freshman team in 1999, and then jayvee in 2002; in 2007, he became
an assistant to then-varsity coach Bob Krebs; and
WHEREAS, Coach Krebs' last year was the 2008-2009 season, and since he
had a feeling he would be stepping down, he took James Kelly under his
tutelage; they always talked after each practice and each game, and
shortly after last season, James Kelly learned that the head coaching
job was his; and
WHEREAS, James Kelly took all of his years of playing and coaching
experience and utilized it proficiently; he really wanted to develop
relationships with the kids, learning a little bit about them off the
court, helping them out academically and watching them grow as people;
and
WHEREAS, Middletown won its first 14 games and at the end of the
season advanced to the Section 9 Class AA title at SUNY New Paltz; and
WHEREAS, Coach James Kelly inspired his team throughout the year and
the Middletown varsity basketball team mirrored his exceptional and
successful coaching philosophy; and
WHEREAS, Coach James Kelly and his wife, Celida, are the proud parents
of three beloved children, Jimmy, Andrea and Sean; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Coach James Kelly of Middletown High School upon the occa-
sion of his designation as 2010 TIMES HERALD-RECORD Varsity 845 Basket-
ball Coach of the Year; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Coach James Kelly.