Senate Resolution No. 2251

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Dr. Lee A. McElroy, Jr. upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of the Third Age
Achievement Award by Lifepath on April 29, 2022

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their
valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dr. Lee A.
McElroy, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Third Age Achievement Award by Lifepath, to be celebrated at its 26th
Annual Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 29, 2022, at Wolferts Roost
Country Club, Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, Lifepath is dedicated to keeping older neighbors and
friends healthy and safe by providing effective programs and support to
help them stay connected to their communities; and

WHEREAS, Each year, this auspicious event recognizes the
contributions area residents and professionals have made in their
communities during the Third Age of their lives (after turning 60
years-old); Dr. Lee A. McElroy, Jr. is truly deserving of this
prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lee A. McElroy, Jr. received an educational doctorate
in educational leadership from the University of Houston, a master's
degree in education from the University of Southern California, and a
bachelor's degree in political science from the University of
California, Los Angeles, where he was a three-year letterman on the UCLA
football team; and

WHEREAS, For 14 years, Dr. Lee A. McElroy, Jr. served as Vice
President and Director of Athletics at the University of Albany; during
this time he was appointed to the NCAA Management Council and elected
President of the National Association of College Athletic Directors
(NACDA); won three America East Commissioner's Cups in 2007, 2013 and
2014; earned 32 NCAA post-season berths; won 74 America East conference
titles; was named to the NACDA Hall of Fame in 2012 and served as
President of the America East Board of Directors in 2007 and 2011; and

WHEREAS, In March of 2015, Dr. Lee A. McElroy, Jr. was appointed
interim director of athletics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
in Troy, New York, and four months later, he was named the permanent
director; and

WHEREAS, In this capacity, Dr. Lee A. McElroy, Jr. is responsible
for overseeing the Institute's 12 men's and 11 women's NCAA
intercollegiate teams (21 Division III, 2 Division I), involving more
than 550 student-athletes; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lee A. McElroy, Jr. also worked with campus leadership
to support student-athletes on and off the field with programmatic and
leadership opportunities that embody the Clustered Learning, Advocacy,
and Support for Students (CLASS) approach to the RPI student experience;
and

WHEREAS, In 2015, Dr. Lee A. McElroy, Jr. was appointed Emeritus
Vice President and Director of Athletics by the State University of New
York; he is also a Trustee with the Capital District YMCA and served as
a member of the Board of Trustees for the United States Sports Academy
and The College of Saint Rose as well as the Director for the California
Minority Golf Association; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished career in athletic
administration, spanning more than three decades, Dr. Lee A. McElroy,
Jr. also served as athletic director at several other prominent
universities, including American University and California State
University, and Associate Director of Athletics at the University of
Houston; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to collegiate
athletics, Dr. Lee A. McElroy, Jr. was named the 2014 ECAC Athletics
Director of the Year and received the 2015 Minority Opportunities
Athletic Association (MOAA) Distinguished Service Award for his
dedication in promoting the understanding and appreciation of diversity,
and the 2020 A Community of Excellence Award from the College of Saint
Rose; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Lee A. McElroy, Jr. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the 2022 Third Age Achievement Award by Lifepath; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Lee A. McElroy, Jr.