Honor Ty Jerome’s NCAA Win

2019 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to extend its full recognition and grateful tribute to the athletes of New York State who have dedicated their purposeful lives to athletic achievement and proudly represented their great State in collegiate sports competition; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to join the New Rochelle, New York, community in honoring Ty Jerome, a young man of great skill, personal courage and unparalleled dedication, whose character and athletic achievements are renowned and personify the highest ideals of the American spirit; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Ty Jerome upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition as a member of the University of Virginia Men's Basketball Team which captured the NCAA Championship on Monday, April 8, 2019; and WHEREAS, Ty Jerome was born to Mark Jerome and Melanie Walker on

July 7, 1997, in New York City; after moving to New Rochelle, New York, he attended Iona Preparatory School where he was a four-year player on the basketball team; and WHEREAS, After his junior year, Ty Jerome was named Westchester/Putnam Player of the Year by The Journal News/lohud.com, and earned spots on the All-Conference, All-Metropolitan, and All-State teams; and WHEREAS, On September 2, 2014, Ty Jerome committed to playing college basketball at the University of Virginia; during his freshman year, he averaged 4.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists as the backup point guard; and WHEREAS, Ty Jerome took over as the Cavaliers' starting point guard his sophomore year; he was selected to the All-ACC Third Team, and on

December 30, 2017, he put up a career-high 31 points against Boston College; and WHEREAS, As a junior, Ty Jerome earned an AP All-America Honorable Mention, and on February 4, 2019, he was named one of the 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, recognizing the nation's top college point guard; he is also listed in most mock drafts as an early second-round pick in the 2019 NBA draft; and WHEREAS, After a heartbreaking loss in the 2018 NCAA Finals, the University of Virginia Cavaliers vowed to redeem themselves in this year's tournament; the team defeated 12th-seed Oregon in the Sweet Sixteen round, third-seed Purdue in the Elite Eight round, and fifth-seed Auburn in a stunning 63-62 victory in the semifinals; throughout the tournament, Ty Jerome averaged 14.2 points, and scored a team-high 21 points in the Auburn game; and WHEREAS, In front of a capacity crowd, point guard Ty Jerome helped his top-seeded team win its first NCAA basketball championship, defeating Texas Tech 85-77 in a thrilling overtime victory on Monday,

April 8, 2019, at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and WHEREAS, Ty Jerome was a key component for Virginia; he played a strong defensive game, scored 16 points, and set up his teammates with eight assists; and WHEREAS, A role model for all, Ty Jerome is a talented, dedicated athlete who has brought honor to his family, his coaches, and his community of friends who have encouraged his progress and commended his hard work; and WHEREAS, A gifted athlete, Ty Jerome's character and achievements stand as a sterling example and inspiration to all who would aspire to such extraordinary success; and WHEREAS, Many will only dream of competing in the NCAA Finals; this young gifted athlete from the great State of New York, through his hard work and tenacious spirit, has made that vision a reality, and has proudly represented his state in competition among the nation's finest athletes, an honor that gives just cause for his family, community and State to be exceedingly proud of his achievements; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate Ty Jerome upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition as a member of the University of Virginia Men's Basketball Team which captured the NCAA Championship on April 8, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Ty Jerome.