Senate Resolution No. 2170

BY: Senator TEDISCO

CONGRATULATING the Union College Men's Hockey Team
and Head Coach Rick Bennett upon the occasion of
capturing the 2017 Cleary Cup on March 25, 2017

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
congratulate the Union College Men's Hockey Team and Head Coach Rick
Bennett upon the occasion of capturing the 2017 ECAC Men's Hockey
Championship at the Lynah Rink after an exciting match-up against
Cornell University; and

WHEREAS, The Cleary Cup, named for former Harvard player and Coach
Bill Cleary, is awarded to the team with the best record in league games
at the end of the regular season; the Union College Men's Hockey Team
earned a 16-4-2 mark in the ECAC Hockey competition tallying a total of
34 league points, winning a share of its fourth Cleary Cup in the last
seven seasons; and

WHEREAS, This monumental win lifted the Union College Men's Hockey
Team to its first league championship since February of 2014; and

WHEREAS, Proudly donning the school's color of garnet, family,
friends, and the community at large loyally and enthusiastically
supported the Dutchmen throughout their journey as they ended their
season with an impressive 25-10-3 overall record; and

WHEREAS, After winning the Championship, the Union College Men's
Hockey Team received an automatic bid to compete in its fifth NCAA
Tournament Midwest Regional Semifinals on Saturday, March 25, 2017; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Head Coach Rick Bennett was the recipient of
the Tim Taylor Award as the ECAC Hockey Coach of the Year; and

WHEREAS, In a sport such as hockey, which demands athletic prowess,
speed and agility, Head Coach Rick Bennett, Assistant Head Coach Jason
Tapp, Assistant Coach John Ronan, and Volunteer Assistant Coach Matt
Alvey worked hard to hone the skills of this championship team, teaching
these outstanding athletes lessons which will prove invaluable both on
and off the ice; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Rick Bennett, his expert coaching staff and all
of the outstanding athletes on the Union College Men's Hockey 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 members of the Union College Men's Hockey Team: Alex

Sakellaropoulos, Jeff Taylor, Vas Kolias, Nick DeSimone, Matt Krug, Ben
Newhouse, Michael Pontarelli, Anthony Rinaldi, Ryan Scarfo, Ryan Burton,
Mark Dufour, Eli Lichtenwald, Zachary Emelifeonwu, J. C. Brassard,
Spencer Foo, Luc Brown, Cole Maier, Brett Supinski, Brendan Taylor, Greg
Campbell, Mike Vecchione, Connor Light, Tyler Hynes, Ryan Walker,
Sebastian Vidmar, Jake Kupsky, and Joe Young; Head Coach Rick Bennett;
Assistant Head Coach Jason Tapp; Assistant Coach John Ronan; Volunteer
Assistant Coach Matt Alvey; and Director of Hockey Operations/Video
Coordinator Ian Greenwald upon the occasion of capturing the 2017 Cleary
Cup; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members of the Union College Men's Hockey Team, Head
Coach Rick Bennett, Assistant Head Coach Jason Tapp, Assistant Coach
John Ronan, Volunteer Assistant Coach Matt Alvey, and Director of Hockey
Operations/Video Coordinator Ian Greenwald.