Honor Union Hockey Champions

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.