LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Coach Tom Wells upon the occasion of his
induction into the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
outstanding individuals who distinguish themselves through their excep-
tional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor
Coach Tom Wells upon the occasion of his induction into the Greater
Utica Sports Hall of Fame; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated
at the Hall's Class of 2013 Induction Ceremony, to be held on Sunday,
June 9, 2013, at the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre in Utica, New York; and
WHEREAS, Whether in Swimming, Track and Field, or in Cross Country,
Coach Tom Wells' New Hartford Senior High School teams have always
achieved unparalleled success; and
WHEREAS, After beginning his career as an Assistant Track Coach in
Whitesboro in 1966, Tom Wells was appointed Head Coach the following
year; from that point, he went to New Hartford to become the Head Track
Coach in 1970 and has been there since; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure with the New Hartford Spartans, Coach
Tom Wells has expanded his repertoire dramatically; in 43 years as New
Hartford's Track and Field Coach and as its Cross Country Coach, his
teams have thus far produced six Section III championships en route to
winning 329 dual meets; and
WHEREAS, Coach Tom Wells' responsibilities have gone beyond that of a
coach, and have included serving as Assistant Coordinator of New York
State Boys Track and the Section III Chairperson for Boys Track for more
than two decades; his teams have also won several Tri-Valley League
titles and numerous Section III titles throughout his career; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, Tom Wells' coaching career expanded on what was to
be an interim basis; as a trial, he was appointed head coach of the
Girls Swim Team at New Hartford and it quickly morphed into a permanent
position; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of the last 27 years, Tom Wells' swim squads
have attained an astounding eleven Section III Girls Swim Team Champion-
ships, including nine in a row from 1997-2005, and an unprecedented 12
New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B Girls
Swim Team Championships; and
WHEREAS, Tom Wells previously served as the Empire State Games Central
Region Director for Swimming, the Section III High School Swim Chairman
and Head Coach of New Hartford Aquatics; his skills are not relegated to
high school athletics as Hamilton College has been a second home for him
and he is currently in his seventh season as an Assistant Coach with the
Continentals' Swimming and Diving programs; and
WHEREAS, Tom Wells served as a New Hartford Physical Education Teacher
for 37 years; he graduated with a degree from Springfield College in
1966, and earned his master's degree from Syracuse University in 1971;
and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his children, Stacy and Jim,
both of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his
achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such outstanding accomplishments are brought to our attention,
they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire
State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Coach Tom Wells for
his extraordinary accomplishments which are a tribute to his skill,
dedication and commitment; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations with
praise and pride to honor Coach Tom Wells upon the occasion of his
induction into the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Coach Tom Wells.