LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the 2013 Minisink Valley High
School Varsity Boys Baseball Team upon the occasion of capturing the New
York State Section 9, Class AA Championship

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, On Friday, May 31, 2013, the Minisink Valley High School
Varsity Boys Baseball Team defeated defending New York State champion,
Kingston by a score of 7-4 to capture the New York State Section 9,
Class AA Championship; and
WHEREAS, The 2013 Minisink Valley High School Varsity Boys Baseball
Team became the fourth team in school history to win the New York State
Section 9, Class AA Championship; and
WHEREAS, In addition, on June 3, 2013, the Minisink Valley High School
Varsity Boys Baseball Team defeated Union-Endicott 2-1 to advance to the
New York State quarterfinals; this is the first time in Minisink Valley
baseball program history that a team has won a New York State Regional
Tournament game; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of Head Coach Dave Benedetto and Assistant Coach
Brian Golden, skilled and inspirational mentors, respected for their
ability to develop potential into excellence; and
WHEREAS, The team's overall record is outstanding, and the team
members were loyally and enthusiastically supported by family, fans,
friends and the community at large; and
WHEREAS, The hallmarks of the 2013 Minisink Valley High School Varsity
Boys Baseball Team, from the opening game of the season to capturing the
New York State Section 9, Class AA Championship, were a brotherhood of
athletic ability, of good sportsmanship, of honor and of scholarship,
demonstrating that these team players are second to none; and
WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the team members have proven
themselves to be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favor-
ably on their school and community; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Dave Benedetto and Assistant Coach Brian Golden
have done a superb job in guiding, molding and inspiring the 2013 Mini-
sink Valley High School Varsity Boys Baseball Team members toward their
goals; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment; Head Coach Dave Benedetto and Assistant Coach Brian
Golden, and the 2013 Minisink Valley High School Varsity Boys Baseball
Team's outstanding athletes, have clearly made a contribution to the
spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their school; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the 2013 Minisink Valley High School Varsity Boys Baseball
Team; its members: Tom Brusca, John-Michael Guarino, Austin Jordan,
Carlos Mapes, Bobby Maxwell, Jerome Neumann, Josh Rivera, Joe Saetta,
Josh Walker, Dominick Carroll, Bryan Johnsen, Kenny Raap, David Shapiro,
Shawn Talmadge, Matt Lopez, Tyler Mayo and Chris Davignon; and Head
Coach Dave Benedetto and Assistant Coach Brian Golden on their New York

State Section 9, Class AA Championship and their outstanding season; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the members, coaches and staff of the 2013 Minisink Valley
High School Varsity Boys Baseball Team.