Senate Resolution No. 1738

BY: Senator SERRANO

CONGRATULATING the Cardinal Hayes High School
Football Team upon the occasion of capturing the
2023 New York State Catholic High School Athletic
Association Championship on December 2, 2023

WHEREAS, Individual and team championships are highly sought after
in high school sports; this Legislative Body commends rare athletic
achievements and pays special recognition to those who pursue such
excellence and become examples for the youth of this great Empire State;
and

WHEREAS, Athletic competition helps to enhance both the moral and
physical development of young athletes, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the importance of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, and developing a sense of fair play and competition; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate the
Cardinal Hayes High School Football Team upon the occasion of capturing
the 2023 New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association
Championship; and

WHEREAS, Beginning its inaugural season winning one game in 1942,
eighty-one years later, Cardinal Hayes became the first New York City
football team to win the prestigious New York State Catholic High School
Football Championship; and

WHEREAS, To the praise and applause of their excited fans, alumni,
and New York City at large, the Cardinals defeated the St. Francis Red
Raiders of Buffalo in a decisive 40-22 victory to capture the
Championship on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Columbia University's
Robert K. Kraft Field; and

WHEREAS, The Cardinal Hayes Cardinals overcame extraordinary
adversity on their way to a 12 and 2 record, recovering from a last
place finish season a year ago, to capture the 2023 state title; student
athletes experienced severe COVID-related disruptions over the course of
their playing careers, which limited games and shifted seasons; the
Cardinals overcame the additional novel obstacles of an accidental fire
in the coaches' offices, relocating the team's weight lifting equipment
outside to a school parking lot, as well as limited practice spaces; and

WHEREAS, Despite these adversities, long-tenured Head Coach C.J.
O'Neil and the Cardinals resolutely persevered through the season with a
dominating record to secure their first ever championship, adding to
Cardinal Hayes Bronx legacy much to the delight and pride of their home
borough and New York City; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach C.J. O'Neil and all the outstanding athletes on
the Cardinal Hayes High School Football Team have clearly utilized
dedication, determination, and teamwork in providing a lasting
contribution 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 Cardinal Hayes High School Football Team: Cleveland
Charlton, Giovanni Downer, Rich Belin, Eli Garcia, Ray Boyd, Zaydan
Jeffrey, Reid Jones, Andrew McFall, Aldrich Boakye, Abdoul Bah, Raymond
Cruz, Ken-G Burnham, AJ Evans, William Thomas, Tyrone Smith, Alex
Santos, Isiah Thomas, Mohamed Traore, Corey Rock, Souleymane Diallo,
Kenneth Antoine, Jashaun Jones, John Weaver, Gary Tucker III, Sincere
Crooks, Ayden Smartt, Nasiah Seabrook, Tristan Rodriguez, Diorek Lopez,
Antonio Cobb, Caiden Yakah, Daniel Fraser, Virtuous Sanchez, Darryl
Jenkins, Norris Anderson, Michael Dunn, Jayden Mann, Christerpher
Norman, Antwan Harvey, Derik Lopez, Blake Belin and Kahmari Valentine;
Head Coach, C.J. O'Neil; Associate Head Coach, George Dawson, Jr.;
Offensive Assistant, Duffy Brennen; Defensive Coordinator, Marcus Reyes;
Assistant Coaches, Dan Muro, Julio Figueroa, Isiah Williams, Dequane
June, Lenny Donohue, Rob Huntington and Chris Bethea; Student Managers,
Nazir Dante Childs and Stephon Williams, on their outstanding season and
overall team record; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Cardinal Hayes High School Football Team and Head
Coach C.J. O'Neil; Associate Head Coach, George Dawson, Jr.; Offensive
Assistant, Duffy Brennen; Defensive Coordinator, Marcus Reyes; Assistant
Coaches, Dan Muro, Julio Figueroa, Isiah Williams, Dequane June, Lenny
Donohue, Rob Huntington, and Chris Bethea.