LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ray Ciancaglini upon the occasion of his
induction into the Geneva Sports Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those exemplary athletes, coaches and administrators who have
distinguished themselves through their outstanding commitment, and
attained 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 Ray
Ciancaglini upon the occasion of his induction into the Geneva Sports
Hall of Fame, to be celebrated on Friday, May 11, 2012; and
WHEREAS, A number of sports enthusiasts formed a group to organize a
"Hall of Fame" in 1988-1989 to honor past Geneva, New York, athletes and
to support present and future athletes; the Geneva Sports Hall of Fame
Association came to fruition in June 1989 with the election of officers,
and the establishment of a Constitution and By-Laws; and
WHEREAS, Every 18 months the Association holds a banquet to honor and
induct into the "Hall of Fame" those athletes, coaches, and contributors
who meet the criteria established by the Board of Directors; to qualify
one must have attended Geneva High School or DeSales High School and
made an outstanding contribution to athletics in the City of Geneva; in
addition, candidates must have distinguished themselves and brought
honor to their institutions; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of the Geneva High School Class of 1969, Ray Cian-
caglini, was an aspiring middleweight boxer from 1966 to 1972, who
showed great promise of a successful career; under the tutelage of
legendary trainers and heavyweight champions, he was extremely talented
and moved up quickly in the boxing world; and
WHEREAS, While Ray Ciancaglini's reputation as a highly regarded boxer
grew, so did his reputation for being a man of great character; in 1970,
at the prestigious Niagara District (New York/Canada) Golden Gloves
Tournament, he was the proud recipient of the Heart Award, an honor
bestowed upon the boxer who demonstrates the most resiliency, tenacity,
and determination; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately, early in his boxing career, Ray Ciancaglini
endured repeat head trauma, a second-impact injury and was later diag-
nosed with Dementia Pugilistica, a neurological disorder which often
affects career boxers, and ultimately brought a premature end to a prom-
ising career; and
WHEREAS, Ray Ciancaglini soon began a 14-year career at Eastman Kodak
Company, from which he retired early in 1994 due to complications with
his diagnosis; he then turned his sights to his heartfelt mission to
help spread the word of the destructive nature of second-impact injuries
and to continue in the fight to prevent adolescent and student athletes
from suffering repeat head-trauma injuries in contact sports; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Ray Ciancaglini uses his personal
experiences to raise awareness by educating young athletes about the
possible dangers of sports related head injuries by volunteering his
time leading vital presentations and seminars at high schools, colleges,
and on the radio; in 2011, he was granted the Jerry Flynn Courage Award
by the Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, The founder of The Second Impact, an educational concussion
awareness program aimed at educating student athletes on the repercus-
sions of not addressing concussions properly, Ray Ciancaglini was also
instrumental in getting The Concussion Management Awareness Act passed
into law; and

WHEREAS, Currently, Ray Ciancaglini resides in Varick, New York, and
serves as the strength and conditioning coach of the New York Collegiate
Baseball League Geneva Red Wings Baseball Team; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ray Ciancaglini upon the occasion of his induction into the Geneva
Sports Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ray Ciancaglini.