LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the 1969 SUNY Orange Cross Country
Team upon the occasion of their induction into the 2014 SUNY Orange Colt
Athletic Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those indi-
viduals and teams whose exceptional athletic prowess leaves an enduring
legacy in their communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late the 1969 SUNY Orange Cross Country Team upon the occasion of their
induction into the 2014 SUNY Orange Colt Athletic Hall of Fame, which
was celebrated at a ceremony on Saturday, November 8, 2014, at Kuhl's
Highland House, Middletown, New York; and
WHEREAS, The SUNY Orange Colt Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes those
individuals, who, through outstanding achievement in athletics or
service, have made lasting contributions to its sports program and the
overall community; and
WHEREAS, The 1969 SUNY Orange Cross Country Team, under the direction
of Head Coach Gary Dross, accomplished an undefeated record of 12-0 and
became the College's first cross country team to win the Mid-Hudson
Conference Championship; and
WHEREAS, These exceptional athletes also placed first in the two-year
division at the Albany Invitational and were the NJCAA Region XV Cross
Country Champion, before finishing 14th at the National Championship;
and
WHEREAS, Bill Wilbur was the team's leading runner in 1969, finishing
as the first Colt across the line in 15 of the team's 16 races that
fall; he was victorious in 11 dual meet races and also won the Albany
Invitational, Mid-Hudson Conference Title and the Region XV champion-
ship, while setting or re-setting 12 course and meet records; and
WHEREAS, Helping give the Colts a dominating one-two punch was Gerry
Hanlon, who was beaten by just one opponent, other than Wilbur, in the
12 dual meets; he also finished third at the regional meet and second at
the Albany Invitational; furthermore, he set a course record during his
first place finish at Suffolk; and
WHEREAS, Demonstrating remarkable depth throughout the year, the SUNY
Orange Cross Country Team received key contributions from Jim Distefano,
Rick Cole, Gary Cole, Ron Beagal, George Giveans, Steve Bryk, John Ryan,
and Team Captain John Kennedy; several players earned both All-Confer-
ence and All-Region accolades, and Rick Cole and George Giveans were
named All-Conference and All-Region respectively; and
WHEREAS, Athletes such as the members of the 1969 SUNY Orange Cross
Country Team provide a tremendous service to the future of our State and
Nation, inspiring generations of student-athletes in their athletic
journeys and ensuring their success in their future years; and
WHEREAS, The 1969 SUNY Orange Cross Country Team has clearly been an
inspiration to the youth of SUNY Orange, as well as to the community-at-
large, and accordingly merits recognition and applause for their impres-
sive dedication to others; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and the 1969 SUNY Orange Cross Country Team has clearly
made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of
their school; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the 1969 SUNY Orange Cross Country Team upon the occasion
of their induction into the 2014 SUNY Orange Colt Athletic Hall of Fame;
and BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the 1969 SUNY Orange Cross Country Team.