Senate Resolution No. 802

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING Calvin Griggs upon the occasion of being
inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame

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
Calvin Griggs upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports
Hall of Fame, to be celebrated at a Ceremony on Sunday, August 1, 2021;
and

WHEREAS, Every year, the Rome Sports Hall of Fame publicly commends
the pursuit of athletic excellence, recognizes those who have excelled,
and strives to preserve Rome's rich athletic heritage; Calvin Griggs is
truly deserving of this prestigious award; and

WHEREAS, Calvin Griggs is widely recognized as one of the very best
three-sport athlete to ever play for Rome Free Academy; today, he is the
head football coach at John Glenn High School in Westland, Michigan; and

WHEREAS, Born in Louisiana, Calvin Griggs and his family moved to
Rome, New York, where his mother always encouraged him to stay active;
listening to her advice, he spent much of his time outdoors playing
sports with his friends, and soon realized athletics were his way to
success; and

WHEREAS, Calvin Griggs began playing organized sports when he was a
6th grader at Jerry C. Elementary School, and excelled right from the
start; he went on to lead his football, basketball and track teams at
Rome Free Academy; and

WHEREAS, Upon graduating from high school in 1986, Calvin Griggs
attended and played championship basketball at Herkimer County Community
College before transferring to Redwood Community College in Eureka,
California where he made Junior College All-American in football twice,
set records in the javelin and triple jump, and was inducted into the
Redwood College Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Due to his positive attitude and superlative athletic
ability, Calvin Griggs earned a full scholarship to Washington State
where he was elected team captain of the football team, and was named
PAC 10 Player of the Week three times, amongst many other accolades; and

WHEREAS, After a winning college career, Calvin Griggs played
several years of pro football, mostly in Canada, and was a successful
coach for three small schools in Oregon before serving as coach at John
Glenn High School; and

WHEREAS, Calvin Griggs is a skilled and inspirational tutor,
respected for his ability to develop potential into excellence; he has

always prided himself on his strong work ethic and teaches his athletes
that being a good person is just as important as being a good athlete;
and

WHEREAS, Calvin Griggs has clearly made a contribution to the spirit
of excellence which is a tradition of his Rome community; 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; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Calvin Griggs upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome
Sports Hall of Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Calvin Griggs.