Senate Resolution No. 1043

BY: Senator GALLIVAN

CONGRATULATING Lou Spiotti Jr. upon the occasion
of his retirement after 47 years of distinguished
service to Rochester Institute of Technology

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality of life in the communities across this great State of New
York is enriched by the diligence and compassionate commitment of those
individuals whose singular purpose is the care and welfare of our
student athletes; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Lou Spiotti Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement after
47 years of distinguished service to Rochester Institute of Technology;
and

WHEREAS, In 1974, Lou Spiotti Jr. began his renowned career at
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) as the head football coach; he
was soon promoted to Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, a
position he has held for the past 41 years, truly transforming the lives
of countless student-athletes; and

WHEREAS, Within his first few years leading RIT's athletics program,
Lou Spiotti Jr. hired energetic coaches who would help RIT gain both
local and national recognition; he worked tirelessly to grow the
inherited 15 teams to the current 24 teams comprised of more than 650
student-athletes; and

WHEREAS, This strategic growth spawned unprecedented Division III
success with 41 conference championships during the last 20 years,
including ten consecutive league titles by the men's lacrosse program
and women's basketball playing in three straight NCAA Tournaments; and

WHEREAS, Lou Spiotti Jr. also led both hockey programs through a
successful transition from Division III to Division I; in 2010, the men
played their way to the NCAA "Frozen Four" and soon thereafter, the
women won back-to-back College Hockey America (CHA) conference
championships in their first two seasons of Division I play; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, with a steadfast devotion to his profession,
Lou Spiotti Jr. also served as president of the Empire 8 and the United
States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA), as well as on the
Atlantic Hockey Board of Directors, including a term as chair of the
executive committee; and

WHEREAS, As the nation's longest tenured athletic director, his list
of accomplishments is impressive and many, but perhaps most remarkable
is the message Lou Spiotti Jr. has continuously conveyed to his
student-athletes about excelling in the classroom and becoming leaders
in life; and

WHEREAS, Under his able leadership, the cumulative GPA of
student-athletes has consistently been above the average of the entire

student body, with 52 Academic All-Americans and 250 Academic All-League
selections; and

WHEREAS, For his body of work as an athlete, coach and
administrator, Lou Spiotti Jr. has earned induction into seven sports
Halls of Fame, including Aquinas Institute, Section V Football, Frontier
Field Walk of Fame, Ithaca College Athletics Hall of Fame, RIT Sports
Hall of Fame, the Rochester Chapter of the Italian-American Sports Hall
of Fame and the Adult Recreation Association of Rochester Hall of Fame;
and

WHEREAS, A true advocate for his student-athletes, Lou Spiotti Jr.
has approached every day of his illustrious tenure with the goal of
making their experience outstanding and thriving on seeing the goodness
within them; and

WHEREAS, Lou Spiotti Jr. is a consummate example of class and
professionalism; his can-do demeanor, unwavering commitment to his
student-athletes, and collaborative pursuit of excellence both on and
off the field is the backbone of RIT's outstanding intercollegiate
athletic program; and

WHEREAS, For more than four decades, Lou Spiotti Jr. has put his
heart, mind and soul into building RIT Athletics into a nationally
recognized best-in-class program; he has served as a role model for
thousands of NCAA student-athletes; while RIT Tigers have won numerous
national and conference championships, Lou's legacy will be one of
building a culture of character and integrity; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Lynn, and their two
daughters, Lisa and Kristen, as well as three grandchildren, Dylan, Drew
and Alexandra, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, In completing his service as Executive Director of
Intercollegiate Athletics, Lou Spiotti Jr. leaves behind more than mere
bricks and mortar; he leaves behind a legacy to the student-athletes of
RIT, both past and present, and to the residents of the
community-at-large; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Lou Spiotti Jr. upon the occasion of his retirement after
47 years of distinguished service to Rochester Institute of Technology;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Lou Spiotti Jr.