Assembly Resolution No. 518

BY: M. of A. Otis

CONGRATULATING the 1972 Rye High School Boys
Varsity Basketball Team on their 50th Anniversary of
capturing the New York State Class B Championship

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be
achieved only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit,
nurtured by dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and

WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical
development of players and instills in them the value of teamwork while
imparting a desire for continued success, fair play and competition
within athletes; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate the
1972 Rye High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team on their 50th
Anniversary of capturing the New York State Class B Championship; and

WHEREAS, In the storied history of Rye High School athletics, the
year 1972 recalls a key moment, even 50 years later, as it was the year
the Boys Varsity Basketball Team won the New York State Class B
Championship; and

WHEREAS, Every year is a challenging year in New York State High
School Basketball, and for Rye High School teams, the competition is
often bigger and faster, but 50 years ago, they came together as a squad
with teamwork, shooting ability and tough defense to deliver a 20-2
winning season on the wooden courts of Westchester County; and

WHEREAS, When the New York basketball world was focused on Reed,
Frazier, DeBusschere, Bradley and Barnet, the Rye hard courts were
dominated by the winning roster consisting of Carl Hickson, George
MacGlennon, Willie Totten, Marvin Kennedy, Chris Avery, Mark Peterson,
Mark Bockeloh, Steve Verille, George Burkhardt, Jim Garrity, Mack
Cunningham, Paul Stafford, Jeff Kaplan and Paul Ryan who brought the
play-making and clutch shooting to their championship run; and

WHEREAS, From backyard hoops around town, to the courts at Rye Rec
and the school gyms, these young athletes learned their skills while
growing up playing other sports in other seasons and enjoying the
comradery of competition and friendship which would evolve into
outstanding basketball players ready to excel when good play counted
most; and

WHEREAS, The 1972 Cagers had the support of the community, parents,
family and friends drawn to watch an outstanding team led by Coach Cliff
Clinton for their historic run; and

WHEREAS, The route to the championship included victories against
JFK (Kennedy Catholic), Woodlands and Our Lady of Lourdes before facing
Tuckahoe High School in the finals; and

WHEREAS, Fifty years ago, the Rye High School Varsity Basketball
team overcame Tuckahoe High School to win the Class B Championship in a

dramatic 71-68 overtime victory that enthralled the spectators at the
Westchester County Center on March 11, 1972; and

WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride
and accomplishment, and Coach Cliff Clinton and his outstanding athletes
clearly contributed 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 1972 Rye High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team, its
members and coaches, upon the 50th Anniversary of capturing the New York
State Class B Championship; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members of the 1972 Rye High School Boys Varsity
Basketball Team and Head Coach Cliff Clinton.