LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Dave Possinger upon the occasion
of his induction into the SUNY Sullivan Athletics Hall of Fame on March
14, 2015

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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Dave
Possinger upon the occasion of his induction into the SUNY Sullivan
Athletics Hall of Fame celebrated on Saturday, March 14, 2015, his
birthday, in Loch Sheldrake, New York;
WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion also featured the 20-year Reunion of
the 1995 National Championship Team coached by Dave Possinger, with many
members of his 1992 National Championship Team in attendance; and
WHEREAS, SUNY Sullivan's strong athletic program is a point of pride
at the college and reflects its commitment to sportsmanship, academics,
and the positive growth of student athletes in its community; and
WHEREAS, A strong contributor to the success of SUNY Sullivan athlet-
ics and a lifelong devotee of the game of basketball, Dave Possinger
earned his bachelor's degree from Towson State University, and completed
his master's degree at Morgan State University; and
WHEREAS, During his illustrious career as coach, Dave Possinger
compiled an impressive record of 500-118, while having a positive effect
on the lives of the young men under his tutelage; and
WHEREAS, As coach of the St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Basketball
Team during the 1980s, Dave Possinger accumulated the most wins of any
coach at a four-year program in the decade; he also recorded seven
straight 30-win seasons and District 21 titles; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable man achieved even greater success after join-
ing the SUNY Sullivan Generals basketball program, winning two national
championships in 1992 and 1995, while compiling an astounding record of
133-5 over four years; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Dave Possinger's teams put together a 68-game
undefeated winning streak, and were ranked number one in the nation four
times during his tenure as head coach at SUNY Sullivan; and
WHEREAS, A two-time Coach of the Year honoree, Dave Possinger contin-
ued his coaching career at Western Carolina University, Rhode Island
College, and Northern Montana College; following his retirement, he
served as an assistant coach with the University of Alabama at Birming-
ham, and as a basketball skills specialist coach; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and Dave Possinger has clearly made a contribution to
the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of SUNY Sullivan Athlet-
ics; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Dave Possinger upon the occasion of his induction into the
SUNY Sullivan Athletics Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Coach Dave Possinger.