NO. R-452Page 1

NO. R-452. House concurrent resolution congratulating former St. Johnsbury Academy track and field coach Raymond G. Frey on his 2008 induction into the Vermont Principals’ Association Hall of Fame.

(H.C.R.322)

Offered by: Representatives Crawford of Burke, Grenier of St. Johnsbury, Bostic of St. Johnsbury, Johnson of Canaan, Larocque of Barnet, Larrabee of Danville, Lawrence of Lyndon, Morley of Barton and Peaslee of Guildhall

Offered by: Senators Coppenrath, Illuzzi, Kitchel and Starr

Whereas, annually, a few extraordinary high school athletic coaches whose contributions to their individual schools and sports competition in Vermont deserve special recognition are inducted into the Vermont Principals’ Association (VPA) Hall of Fame, and

Whereas, one of the 2008 inductees is Raymond Frey, whose transformation of the St. Johnsbury Academy track and field program into one of the most respected in Vermont remains lore among Hilltoppers, and

Whereas, Raymond Frey’s 30-year administrative, coaching, and teaching career at St. Johnsbury Academy included a diversity of assignments, and

Whereas, art and drafting were Raymond Frey’s classroom specialties, and

Whereas, he proved to be a skillful administrator, serving as the academy’s assistant headmaster and athletic director for seven and 11 years respectively, and

Whereas, Raymond Frey’s place in the history of St. Johnsbury Academy will be most remembered for his skill and vision as a coach, and

Whereas, he served as the academy’s cross-country coach for six years, from 1957 to 1963, and his remarkable tenure as track and field coach extended for three decades, from 1957 to 1987, and

Whereas, he did not need long to invigorate the previously unnoticed boys’ cross-country team, which won the 1958 state championship, and

Whereas, in girls’ track and field, his squad captured the 1981 state title, and

Whereas, Raymond Frey’s true talent was coaching the boys’ track and field athletes as he guided the team to 15 state championships starting in 1961 and then again in 1962, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1977, 1978, and concluding with five successive crowns from 1980 through 1984, and

Whereas, in 1968, when he was barely one-third through his illustrious career at St. Johnsbury Academy, he was honored as the Vermont Coach of the Year, an honor covering all interscholastic sports, and

Whereas, Raymond Frey continued to coach with enormous success and concluded his years at the academy as the Vermont high school coach with the most titles in any sport, a distinction that remains true over 20 years later, and

Whereas, before his retirement, Raymond Frey experienced the great joy of opening and coaching the 1986-1987 season in the magnificent new St. Johnsbury Academy field house, and

Whereas, the VPA has bestowed a most fitting tribute on Raymond Frey in recognition of his truly amazing coaching success, now therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:

That the general assembly congratulates former St. Johnsbury Academy track and field coach Raymond G. Frey on his 2008 induction into the Vermont Principals’ Association Hall of Fame, and be it further

Resolved: That the secretary of state be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Raymond Frey.