Senate Resolution No. 1252

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING Kevin Grimmer upon the occasion of
his retirement after 37 years of dedicated service
to SUNY Polytechnic Institute

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 Kevin Grimmer upon the occasion of his retirement after 37
years of distinguished service to SUNY Polytechnic Institute; and

WHEREAS, Kevin Grimmer served SUNY Polytechnic Institute in a dual
role as both the Athletic Director and Head Coach of the men's
basketball team prior to stepping back from coaching duties in 2014; he
will officially retire in July of 2021; and

WHEREAS, Kevin Grimmer began his illustrious career at SUNY
Polytechnic Institute in 1985; he served as the Athletic Director for 21
years after a 15-year stint as Assistant Athletic Director, and was the
basketball coach for 18 years after serving as an assistant coach for
five years; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, which traversed nearly four decades,
Kevin Grimmer was instrumental in the tremendous growth and success of
the school's athletic program, including the $20 million expansion of
the SUNY Poly sports complex, which resulted in the new Wildcat Field
House, a turf field with lights, a baseball field and updated softball
field; and

WHEREAS, During his long and distinguished career at SUNY
Polytechnic Institute, Kevin Grimmer also coached the women's basketball
team for six seasons, taking a program which had a 39-118 record since
its inception, to a 78-69 record and the school's first-ever State
University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Championship
Tournament appearance; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, Kevin Grimmer came back to the men's basketball
program, piloting it to six conference championship berths and three
Eastern College Athletic Conference championship tournaments; and

WHEREAS, Kevin Grimmer has compiled 294 wins for Wildcat Basketball
and has led both teams to postseason appearances in seven SUNYAC
Tournaments and three Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC)
Championship Tournaments; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Kevin Grimmer, SUNY
Polytechnic Institute moved to the North East Atlantic Conference in
2008, and won the NEAC President's Cup for best overall sports program
in three consecutive years; his 2008-09 team won the college's first

conference championship and became the first to qualify for an NCAA
championship berth; and

WHEREAS, During his finest season ever in 2009-10, Kevin Grimmer led
the team to its second straight North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC)
Championship and its second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament,
where the team advanced to the Sweet 16; he guided the team to a
program-best record of 26-5 and was rewarded with four Coach of the Year
awards; he also received the 2012 SUNY Chancellor's Award for
Professional Excellence for his longtime commitment to SUNY Poly as an
athletics administrator and coach; and

WHEREAS, In addition to coaching both SUNY Poly basketball teams,
this extraordinary man established the women's volleyball program and
was its coach for six years; he also served as the school's Sports
Information Director for 14 years; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to SUNY
Polytechnic Institute, Kevin Grimmer is the former president and
executive committee member of SUNYAC; he has also served as the Chair of
the Board of Athletic Directors for the NEAC as well as its executive
committee; and

WHEREAS, Prior to joining SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Kevin Grimmer
was a standout basketball player for Hamilton College, where he
graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and was
named an NCAA Division III All-American; upon the completion of his
studies, he continued his basketball career playing professionally
overseas for the English National Basketball Association; and

WHEREAS, Kevin Grimmer's athletic accomplishments have landed him in
both the Greater Utica Area Sports Hall of Fame and the Notre Dame High
School Juggler Hall of Fame; additionally, his Hamilton College jersey
was raised to the rafters of the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House in a
ceremony celebrating Continental All-Americans; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Sheila, and their
three children, Nick, Megan and Alex, all of whom feel privileged to be
a part of his life and rejoice in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, Kevin Grimmer 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 SUNY Poly's outstanding athletic
program; he has served as a role model for thousands of NCAA
student-athletes, and his legacy will be one of building a culture of
character and integrity; and

WHEREAS, In completing his service as Athletic Director, Kevin
Grimmer leaves behind more than mere bricks and mortar; he leaves behind
a legacy to the student-athletes of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 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 Kevin Grimmer upon the occasion of his retirement after 37
years of distinguished service to SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and to
wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it further


RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Kevin Grimmer.