Senate Resolution No. 5673

BY: Senator TEDISCO

HONORING Gary DiNola upon the occasion of his
induction into the Schenectady City School District
Athletic Hall of Fame on September 17, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
Gary DiNola upon the occasion of his induction into the Schenectady City
School District Athletic Hall of Fame, to be celebrated at its 21st
Annual Reunion Dinner on Monday, September 17, 2018, at Glen Sanders
Mansion in Scotia, New York; and

WHEREAS, Gary DiNola is an esteemed graduate of Mont Pleasant High
School where he distinguished himself by his many notable achievements
in basketball and baseball; he also played basketball and lacrosse at
Fairleigh Dickinson University and has been a much beloved and respected
coach for various schools; and

WHEREAS, Gary DiNola coached varsity boys' basketball, baseball,
softball, golf and girls' track & field at his alma mater, Mont Pleasant
High School; his many accomplishments include a Big Ten softball title,
and his 1986-1987 basketball team won the Section II Class B title, as
well as the Regional title, and advanced to the NYSPHSAA Semifinals; and

WHEREAS, Moreover, Coach DiNola's 1987-1988 basketball team won the
Big Ten title and advanced to the Class B Sectional championship game,
finishing with a record of 20-3; his cumulative record was 78-61; and

WHEREAS, Gary DiNola then joined the staff at Schenectady Central
School District where he was a teacher, administrator, coach and
athletic director; from 1994-1998, he was the boys' basketball coach,
ending his tenure with an outstanding record of 66-30; and

WHEREAS, Gary DiNola's 1997-1998 team captured the NYSPHSAA
Basketball Championship, the Section II Championship, and the Regional
and Big Ten titles; this historic team finished with a 28-1 record,
losing to Rice in the Federation Semifinals; several of his players went
on to play Division I basketball, and he was named Coach of the Year in
1987, 1988 and 1998; and

WHEREAS, Gary DiNola served as Assistant Basketball Coach under Doc
Sauers at SUNY Albany from 1989-1994; during this time, the team earned
three NCAA Tournament berths and an Elite Eight appearance in 1994; the
1993-1994 team was inducted into the University at Albany Athletic Hall
of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Gary DiNola founded and
directed the Mont Pleasant Basketball Academy and Youth Sponsorship

Program, and the Schenectady Summer Basketball Academy and Youth
Scholarship and Sponsorship Program; and

WHEREAS, Gary DiNola was also a successful lacrosse coach for Albany
Academy; his 1999 team was nationally ranked, and his teams won two
Section II titles; furthermore, he was an Assistant Lacrosse Coach at
RPI for four seasons, and coached lacrosse in the Empire State Games;
and

WHEREAS, In addition to being inducted into the Schenectady City
School District Athletic Hall of Fame, Gary DiNola is a member of the
Upstate New York Basketball Hall of Fame; he was also named the
Schenectady Central School District Teacher of the Year in both 1986 and
1998; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such outstanding athletic accomplishments are brought to
our attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Gary DiNola upon
the occasion of being inducted into the Schenectady City School District
Athletic Hall of Fame for his extraordinary accomplishments which were a
tribute to his skill, dedication and commitment; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Gary DiNola upon the occasion of his induction into the
Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame on September 17,
2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Gary DiNola.