Senate Resolution No. 2301

BY: Senator TEDISCO

HONORING Nelson Griffin upon the occasion of his
induction into the Schenectady City School District
Athletic Hall of Fame on September 14, 2026

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 the young people of this State, preparing them for the
future by instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a
standard of healthy living, imparting a desire for success and
developing a sense of fair play and competition; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those outstanding athletes who inspired and brought pride
to their school and community by achieving outstanding success in
competition, 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
Nelson Griffin upon the occasion of his induction into the Schenectady
City School District Athletic Hall of Fame at its 2026 Schenectady City
School District Athletic Hall of Fame & Reunion Dinner on Monday,
September 14, 2026, at the Event Center at Rivers Casino & Resort,
Schenectady, New York; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Griffin lettered in cross country, indoor and
outdoor track, and wrestling at Mont Pleasant High School, excelling as
a hurdler and sprinter on three Mont Pleasant Section II championship
outdoor track and field teams; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Griffin was the anchor runner on a school record
setting 440-yard relay team in 1968; and

WHEREAS, Following a stellar high school track and field career,
Nelson Griffin went on to letter in track and field at SUNY Farmingdale
and SUNY Cortland; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Griffin ultimately returned to Schenectady and was
the boys' varsity outdoor track and field coach at Mont Pleasant High
School and Schenectady High School for a total of 31 seasons; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Griffin's Mont Pleasant teams won Class B Sectional
Track and Field championships in 1989 and 1990, and his 2001 Schenectady
High School team finished undefeated and won the Section II Class "A"
Championship Meet, as well as the Eddy Meet and Schenectady
Invitational; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Griffin coached 51 Sectional champions, had a 202-32
record in Big Ten Conference dual meets, won seven Big Ten dual meet
championships and eight Big Ten Meet Championships; and


WHEREAS, Recognized for his leadership and administrative acumen,
Nelson Griffin was the Big Ten Track & Field chairman (1987-2007) and
Everett Grout Cross Country Meet director (1992-2001); now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Nelson Griffin upon the occasion of his induction into the
Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame on September 14,
2026; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Nelson Griffin.