LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Mark Anken upon the occasion of being
inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday, August 1, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those exemplary athletes, coaches, and administrators who
have distinguished themselves and their schools through outstanding
commitment, 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 Mark
Anken upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of
Fame on Sunday, August 1, 2010; and
WHEREAS, One of the most successful athletes in Rome Free Academy's
history, Mark Anken was a first-team all-state football lineman and an
honorable mention All-American in his senior year for the Black Knights'
Section III champion football squad; he was also a star track and field
athlete, capturing the state title in the shot put both indoors and
outdoors in 1986, and still holds the school indoor record in the event;
and
WHEREAS, Mark Anken went on to play college football at Boston
College, turning down recruiting offers from other Division I programs
such as Syracuse and Penn State; after being red-shirted his freshman
year, he earned a starting job for Boston College on the offensive line
in his sophomore year and went on to be one of the school's top perform-
ers over his college career despite being hampered by a serious back
injury and a nagging ankle injury; and
WHEREAS, Despite his lack of outstanding height for a lineman, the
6-foot-2 Mark Anken attended the NFL scouting combine after graduating
from college and went undrafted, although attracting the interest of
several teams; he later embarked on a career as a chiropractor, graduat-
ing from the New York Chiropractic College in 1996 and joining his
father's practice; 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 Mark Anken upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome
Sports Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mark Anken.