Honor Coach Ray Lawson

Assembly Resolution No. 536 BY: M. of A. Palmesano HONORING Ray Lawson upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the New York State High School Coach of the Year Award by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord with its long-standing traditions, to commend notable educators and athletic coaches who serve the youth of this great Empire State and who have distinguished themselves and their schools through outstanding commitment and exemplary athletic achievement; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ray Lawson upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the New York State High School Coach of the Year Award by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association; and WHEREAS, Every year, one boys coach and one girls coach from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia are honored for their successes, as selected by a committee of experts around the nation; and WHEREAS, The factors taken into consideration were team score and placement at the state championships, margin of victory, performance against rankings if available, individual championships, and how their teams' performance stacked up to previous years; and WHEREAS, As the Corning Hawks Head Cross Country Coach, Ray Lawson led the Corning Boys Cross Country Team to a New York State Championship in November of 2016 for the first time in school history, and won the fifth consecutive Southern Tier Athletic Conference title and Section IV title for Corning; and WHEREAS, In addition to the team's excellence on the course, Ray Lawson's boys and girls teams both earned academic All-Star honors for the fall season, which requires a combined academic average of 90 or better from at least 75 percent of the roster; and WHEREAS, Ray Lawson's positive demeanor, selfless commitment, and caring concern have contributed to his enduring success as a coach and mentor, earning him the just respect and admiration of his community, his peers, and the athletes he has so ably coached; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Ray Lawson upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the New York State High School Coach of the Year Award by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Coach Ray Lawson.