Senate Resolution No. 5321

BY: Senator AKSHAR

CONGRATULATING Ben Nelson upon the occasion of his
induction into the New York State Public High School
Athletic Association's Hall of Fame Class of 2018

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
notable teachers, coaches and administrators within our midst, who serve
the youth of this great Empire State, and who have distinguished
themselves and their communities through their exemplary athletic
achievements and their outstanding professional commitments; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Ben Nelson upon the occasion of his induction into the New
York State Public High School Athletic Association's Hall of Fame Class
of 2018; and

WHEREAS, Ben Nelson, a respected veteran administrator, Bainbridge
resident, and long-time head of Section 4 sports, will be inducted into
the New York State Public High School Athletic Association's Hall of
Fame Class of 2018 at its Summer Meeting on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, in
Lake Placid, New York; and

WHEREAS, After serving as Oxford Academy's Director of Athletics
from 1988 to 1998, Ben Nelson went on to become the state's longest
serving Section 4 Executive Director, overseeing all operations of the
section; and

WHEREAS, Ben Nelson has been instrumental in the significant
improvement of Section 4's finances and has been the catalyst for
bringing numerous NYSPHSAA championship events to the section, including
boys basketball, baseball, field hockey, boys soccer, outdoor track &
field and cross country; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, he has been an integral part of exemplary
programs in the areas of sports safety, academics and sportsmanship, and
serves the NYSPHSAA on such committees as its Boys Basketball State
Committee; and

WHEREAS, In 2014, Ben Nelson was elected into the Section 4 Hall of
Fame and the Basketball Coaches Association of New York (BCANY) Hall of
Fame; he is BCANY Assistant Executive Director and has served on the
organization's Board since its inception; and

WHEREAS, Ben Nelson has been the proud recipient of numerous awards
and accolades, including the Otis Sennett Award of Excellence and
Distinguished Service Awards from the New York State Athletic
Administrators Association; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he was honored with the Golden Apple Award,
Camp Dudley Man of the Year Award and Southern Tier Basketball Officials
Dedication Award; and

WHEREAS, A letterman in baseball, basketball, track, volleyball and
football before graduating from Bainbridge-Guilford High School in 1958,
Ben Nelson played basketball at Trinity Pawling, Colgate and Louisiana
University; he also spent a year in Hannover, Germany as a player-coach
for a Division II team; and

WHEREAS, Following his playing days, Ben Nelson began contributing
to youth and high school athletics during summers at Camp Dudley, where
he's been a coach or administrator for more than six decades; he also
served as a multi-sport coach at Oxford Academy, where he taught math;
and

WHEREAS, During his illustrious tenure at Oxford Academy, Ben Nelson
coached boys and girls varsity basketball, cross country, and track &
field teams to Section 4 Class C and Pioneer League Championships; and

WHEREAS, Ben Nelson has dedicated a lifetime of giving back to his
community and improving the quality of youth athletics; it is the custom
of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such accomplishments
are brought to our attention, they should be recognized by all the
citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Ben Nelson upon the occasion of his induction into the New
York State Public High School Athletic Association's Hall of Fame Class
of 2018; and be it further

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