LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the 1954 Nott Terrace High
School Football Team upon the occasion of its being honored as part of a
special Legacy Tribute during the 12th Annual Schenectady County Athlet-
ic Hall of Fame and Reunion Dinner on September 14, 2009

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 recognize and pay
tribute to those outstanding athletes who inspired and brought pride to
their school and community by achieving outstanding success in competi-
tion, 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 pay trib-
ute to the 1954 Nott Terrace High School Football Team upon the occasion
of its being honored as part of a special Legacy Tribute during the 12th
Annual Schenectady County Athletic Hall of Fame and Reunion Dinner on
September 14, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Led by co-captains Alonzo Burnham and Derry Cooke, the 1954
Nott Terrace High School Football Team finished the season with a
perfect 5-0 record, outscoring its opponents 193-33; and
WHEREAS, The 1954 Nott Terrace High School Football Team placed five
players on the 11-member All-County Team: John Bezio, Alonzo Burnham, Ed
Wilgocki, Dick Kaczmarek and Derry Cooke, who also won the Thom McAn
Award; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by the 1954 Nott Terrace High
School Football Team was due in great part to the efforts of Coach Pete
Shulha, a skilled and inspirational tutor who did a superb job in guid-
ing, molding and inspiring the team members toward their goals; and
WHEREAS, Gifted athletes, the members of the 1954 Nott Terrace High
School Football Team proved themselves to be an unbeatable combination
of athletic and academic talents, whose character and achievements stand
as a sterling example and inspiration to all who would aspire to
success; and
WHEREAS, Loyally and enthusiastically supported by family, fans,
friends and the community at large, the 1954 Nott Terrace High School
Football Team clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence
which became a tradition at their school; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor the 1954 Nott Terrace
High School Football Team for their extraordinary athletic accomplish-
ments which are a tribute to their skill, dedication and commitment;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the 1954 Nott Terrace High School Football Team upon the
occasion of its being honored as part of a special Legacy Tribute during
the 12th Annual Schenectady County Athletic Hall of Fame and Reunion
Dinner on September 14, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the 1954 Nott Terrace High School Football Team.