LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Donald F. Staffo upon the occasion
of his induction into the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame on June 8,
2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 Dr.
Donald F. Staffo upon the occasion of his induction into the Greater
Utica Sports Hall of Fame, to be celebrated on Sunday, June 8, 2014, at
the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre, Utica, New York; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald F. Staffo began his illustrious career as a Phys-
ical Education Teacher, Athletic Director and Coach of boys and girls
sports in the public schools throughout New York State; and
WHEREAS, With more than four decades of steadfast dedication to the
field of Education, Dr. Donald F. Staffo has served the last 34 years as
a Professor as well as Health and Physical Education Department Chairman
at Stillman College, where he is the college's longest-running depart-
ment chair and the only faculty member to be honored with the title
Emeritus in the 138-year history of the school; and
WHEREAS, Instrumental in starting Stillman College's Football Program,
Dr. Donald F. Staffo has also served as the school's Athletic Director;
and
WHEREAS, As athletic director Dr. Donald F. Staffo provided leadership
for a program that won four games its first season, had a winning record
in its second season, and went on to lead the Nation (NCAA Division III)
in attendance in its fourth season; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald F. Staffo has the distinction of being only the
second person in the United States to receive the three highest national
awards given by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance; he is the recipient of four National, four State,
five Distinguished Alumni, one Regional and five Institutional Awards;
and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, inducted into five Halls of Fame, Dr. Donald F.
Staffo is the most and highest honored, as well as the most published
and longest running department chair in the history of Stillman College;
and
WHEREAS, Prior to coming to Stillman in 1985, Dr. Donald F. Staffo was
Director of Physical Education and Athletic Director at Alice Lloyd
College (ALC), where he implemented the physical education major, as
well as ALC's move into the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
and the National Intercollegiate Athletic Association; and
WHEREAS, Approaching 66 years of age, Dr. Donald F. Staffo remains an
avid physical fitness enthusiast and HPE role model; a former age-group
modified triathlon winner, he continues to run, bike and swim long
distances, as well as play baseball; and
WHEREAS, Recognized by the Alabama House of Representatives and the
New York State Senate and Assembly for his career achievements, Dr.
Donald F. Staffo is also an award-winning sports journalist; he has
authored 10 books, a newspaper column that ran for 21 years, as well as
2,100 articles in international, national, regional and local publica-
tions; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he has covered Alabama football and basketball
for 30 years for the ASSOCIATED PRESS, TUSCALOOSA NEWS and BAMA

MAGAZINE; for seven years he covered the Southeastern Conference for
BASKETBALL TIMES and three years for the GANNET NEWS SERVICE; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Dr. Donald F. Staffo
for his extraordinary accomplishments which are a tribute to his skill,
dedication and commitment; 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Donald F. Staffo upon the occasion of his induction into the
Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame on June 8, 2014; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Donald F. Staffo.