Senate Resolution No. 800

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING Michael J. Orbinati posthumously upon the
occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall
of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
outstanding athletes who have distinguished themselves through their
exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest
level of personal achievement; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Michael J. Orbinati posthumously upon the occasion of being inducted
into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame, to be celebrated at a Ceremony on
Sunday, August 1, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Every year, the Rome Sports Hall of Fame publicly commends
the pursuit of athletic excellence, recognizes those who have excelled,
and strives to preserve Rome's rich athletic heritage; Michael J.
Orbinati is truly deserving of this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his storied coaching career, Michael J. Orbinati
was a skilled and inspirational tutor, respected for his ability to
develop potential into excellence; he will always be remembered for
being tough, yet fair; and

WHEREAS, Born and raised on Railroad Street in Rome, New York,
Michael "Mike" J. Orbinati went on to become a great football player at
Rome Free Academy during the mid-1940s, and was named captain of the
1947 team; upon graduating, he attended St. Bonaventure University on a
football scholarship; and

WHEREAS, Michael J. Orbinati then became a well-respected coach at
Cardinal Mindszenty High School (CMHS), Westfield High School and his
alma mater; in 1968, he left Rome, and became the head football coach at
Proctor High School in Utica, where he concluded his superlative
athletic career as the Utica School District's athletic administrator
until his retirement in 1991; and

WHEREAS, It was during Michael J. Orbinati's years at CMHS that he
had his greatest success as a coach, much of it related to his use of
the then mostly unknown "hurry up offense" or "no-huddle offense," which
he designed and later shared with his former St. Bonaventure teammate,
Ted Marchibroda, who introduced that offense to the NFL; and

WHEREAS, Coach Orbinati's 1958 and 1959 teams went 15 and 1,
outscoring their opponents 531 to 63, and his undefeated 1958 team was
the only unbeaten team (8-0) in CMHS' history; and

WHEREAS, After his death in 2010, at the age of 81, Michael J.
Orbinati's family created a college scholarship award in his memory; The
Run to the Whistle Award was annually given to a Proctor High School
football player who always gave it all he had, just like Michael did;
and


WHEREAS, Michael J. Orbinati clearly made a contribution to the
spirit of excellence which is a tradition of his Rome community; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such outstanding athletic accomplishments are brought to
our attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Michael J. Orbinati posthumously upon the occasion of being
inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Michael J. Orbinati.