LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring West Genesee High School Lacrosse Coach
Mike Messere upon the occasion of his 748th game win, breaking the
national record for a high school lacrosse coach

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and recognize
those dedicated individuals in our midst, who strive to enhance the
quality of life within our communities, by providing exceptional leader-
ship and guidance to our youth; and
WHEREAS, It is acknowledged that athletic competition enhances the
emotional and physical development of our young people within this
State, preparing them for the future by instilling in them the value of
hard work and discipline, which is 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 honor and
recognize Coach Mike Messere for his remarkable accomplishment of
winning 748 games, breaking the national record for a high school
lacrosse coach; and
WHEREAS, Coach Mike Messere, who has served as head coach of the West
Genesee High School Boys Lacrosse Team for the past 36 years, achieved
his record 748th win against the Oswego Buccaneers on April 19, 2012,
crediting his players for their determination and perseverance; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his setting a national record, Coach Mike
Messere has led the West Genesee Wildcats to 15 New York State champion-
ships, 29 Section III Titles, and has produced more than 50 scholastic
All-Americans; and
WHEREAS, Through discipline and effective team building training exer-
cises, Coach Mike Messere has influenced thousands of players during his
coaching tenure, and that list includes dozens of All-Americans, plus
NCAA coaches John Desko of Syracuse University, Dan Sheehan of Le Moyne
College, Jeff Tambroni of Cornell, and Steve Beville of Cortland State;
and
WHEREAS, Coach Mike Messere also has received numerous accolades
during his coaching tenure; he was inducted into the 1985 Cortland Hall
of Fame, the 1992 Upstate New York Chapter Hall of Fame, and the 1994
United States Lacrosse Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, A native of Central New York, Coach Mike Messere, himself,
played lacrosse for the West Genesee Wildcats, before graduating from
West Genesee High School in 1962, to attend Cortland State; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout his accomplished life have been his
friends and family, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his
successes, and rejoice in his many accomplishments; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor and recognize Coach Mike Messere upon the occasion of his 748th
win, breaking the national record for a high school lacrosse coach; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Coach Mike Messere.