Bill Text: NY J00300 | 2025-2026 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending Dave Fontaine upon the occasion of his retirement after 13 years as Director of Athletics for Utica University

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-30 - REFERRED TO FINANCE [J00300 Detail]

Download: New_York-2025-J00300-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 300

BY: Senator GRIFFO

        COMMENDING  Dave Fontaine upon the occasion of his
        retirement after 13 years as Director  of  Athletics
        for Utica University

  WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize  and  acknowledge outstanding individuals within our midst who
have made significant contributions to the communities of this State and
Nation; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body  is  justly  proud  to  commend  Dave
Fontaine  upon the occasion of his retirement after 13 years as Director
of Athletics for Utica University; and

  WHEREAS, After  13  years,  20  conference  championships,  15  NCAA
Tournament  appearances, 65 All-Americans, and countless enhancements to
facilities and traditions, Utica University Director  of  Athletics  and
Physical  Education,  David  Fontaine, has announced his official day of
retirement from  Utica  University's  Athletics  Department  as  Friday,
January 31, 2025; and

  WHEREAS,  Dave Fontaine graduated from Notre Dame Junior-Senior High
School in Utica; he earned an Associate's in Liberal Arts  and  Sciences
degree  from Mohawk Valley Community College, a Bachelor's in Psychology
degree from Utica College (now Utica  University),  and  a  Master's  in
Physical  Education, Administration, and Management degree from Syracuse
University; and

  WHEREAS, Dave Fontaine was a  four-year  collegiate  student-athlete
and  filled  the  role  of  Captain of the Pioneers Baseball Team in his
senior  season,  leading  the  team  to  an  Eastern  College   Athletic
Conference (ECAC) Upstate County Championship; and

  WHEREAS,  A  Utica  University  alumnus, Dave Fontaine has spent the
last 13 years leading  the  Athletic  Department  for  the  Pioneers  as
Director of Athletics and Physical Education; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Utica native also spent 11 years at Utica University,
from 1989 through  2000,  serving  in  a  variety  of  roles,  including
Director  of  Intramurals,  Head  Softball  Coach,  Home  Event Manager,
Compliance Director, Scheduling Coordinator, and Assistant  Director  of
Athletics; and

  WHEREAS,  Since his return to the Athletics Department in January of
2012, Dave Fontaine has been at the forefront  of  several  improvements
and  developments; he was also instrumental in creating, developing, and
enhancing athletic department operations; and

  WHEREAS, Dave Fontaine feels fortunate to have been an integral part
of  countless  program-defining  moments  for  the  Pioneers,  including
conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances and victories, and
high  individual  placements  which featured some of the top finishes in
the country; today, Utica University boasts one of the largest  athletic
programs in the Empire 8 Conference; and


  WHEREAS,  The many contributions of which Dave Fontaine has played a
vital role are a testament to  his  legacy  which  will  inspire  future
students and athletes of Utica University for generations to come; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body that those
dedicated individuals who have shown a long and sustained commitment  to
excellence  unquestionably  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
commend  Dave  Fontaine  upon the occasion of his retirement and to wish
him well in all his future endeavors; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Dave Fontaine.