Bill Text: NY J01342 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Honoring Jeff Skibitski upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame on July 30, 2023
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-06-06 - ADOPTED [J01342 Detail]
Download: New_York-2023-J01342-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 1342 BY: Senator GRIFFO HONORING Jeff Skibitski upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame on July 30, 2023 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 Jeff Skibitski upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 30, 2023; 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; Jeff Skibitski is truly deserving of this prestigious award; and WHEREAS, Born and raised in Rome, New York, Jeff Skibitski attended Rome Catholic High School where he reached All-Star status in football, basketball, and baseball; and WHEREAS, In football, Jeff Skibitski led the Red Wings to a pair of league championships and one sectional title; his senior year, the team, with Jeff as captain, finished 5-2-1, and he was named first team league quarterback with 11 touchdowns and 1,139 yards, both school records; and WHEREAS, Jeff Skibitski's junior and senior basketball teams both won team titles; a three-year starter at shortstop, the Rome Catholic High baseballers won two league championships; his junior year saw him as a key player in a league title; as a senior, he was captain, the leading scorer, and named all-league on a league championship team; and WHEREAS, In baseball, Jeff Skibitski was a three-year starter at shortstop; as a junior, the team won a league title, and as a senior captain he was named all-league on another title team; this team went on to garner sectional and regional titles; and WHEREAS, After graduating from Rome Catholic High and a brief stay at the University of Buffalo, Jeff Skibitski transferred to Hamilton College where he finished his career under former high school coach Roman Mike Davis, amassing a record breaking four-year winning record; and WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his studies, Jeff Skibitski returned to Rome Catholic High School to teach math and assist at Varsity football; he then moved to Oneida High School where he taught math and coached baseball and girls' basketball; in baseball, his teams compiled a record of 175-135 with two Tri-Valley titles; in girls' basketball, the team earned two league titles and two sectional titles; and WHEREAS, A true family man, Jeff Skibitski had the joy of coaching his daughters, Lexi and Lauren, at lower levels, where they won 11 sectional titles between them; and WHEREAS, Throughout his storied coaching career and lifetime of excellence, Jeff Skibitski, a skilled and inspirational tutor, is truly respected for his ability to develop potential into excellence; he has been coaching at least one team each year for 35 years and counting; and WHEREAS, In addition to his daughters, with him throughout has been his wife, Jackie, who feels privileged to be a part of his life and rejoices at his many achievements; and WHEREAS, Jeff Skibitski 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 Jeff Skibitski 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 Jeff Skibitski.