LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring St. Anthony's High School Athletic
Director Don Buckley upon the occasion of his induction into the Suffolk
Sports Hall of Fame

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 through their outstanding commitment, and
attained 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 St.
Anthony's High School Athletic Director Don Buckley upon the occasion of
his induction into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Don Buckley, whose early days were defined by coaching 25
high school All-Americans in cross country and track at St. Anthony's,
was among nine inductees into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Don Buckley began coaching high school track in 1976 and won
state Federation cross country team titles in 1976 and 1980; among his
star pupils was two-time Olympian John Gregorek; and
WHEREAS, An outstanding track and field coach, Don Buckley became
athletic director in 1982; soon after, the school relocated from Smith-
town to its current campus in South Huntington; and
WHEREAS. Over the last three decades, Don Buckley has presided over
the transformation of the athletic program into a force in nearly every
sport; SPORTS ILLUSTRATED has crowned St. Anthony's as the best high
school athletic program in New York state for several years running; and
WHEREAS, An all-boys school with 700 students in 1982, St. Anthony's
had a sports program with a history of greatness; Don Buckley's philoso-
phy was to get more kids involved; and
WHEREAS, A coeducational school today, St. Anthony's track program
features an unheard of roster of 400 boys and girls; under Don Buckley,
the Friars have won 291 team championships and 84 state team titles; the
school is also highlighted by the powerhouse football program, which
recently repeated as CHSFL Class AAA champs; and
WHEREAS, Rising through the ranks as a physical education teacher,
track coach and administrator, Don Buckley has also helped guide the
entire state into the modern era of high school sports, serving at one
point as president of the state Catholic league and the state Feder-
ation; he is a true asset to society; 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 St. Anthony's High School Athletic Director Don Buckley upon the
occasion of his induction into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Don Buckley, Athletic Director, St. Anthony's High School.