RESOLUTION NO. 130135
Recognizing and honoring Gerry
Marlin, Ruskin High School basketball coach, on winning his 500th career game
and for inspiring so many young men to excel in both athletics and academics
and to become leaders in their communities.
WHEREAS, Coach Marlin
has been a head coach 26 years, the last 11 at Ruskin High School, developing
men of character, many of whom have gone on to play Division I, Division II and
NAIA college basketball and many, many more who have become successful pillars
of society; and
WHEREAS, after
guiding his Ruskin teams to many conference and district championships, Coach
Marlin won his 500th game January 25 against Park Hill High School 65-50,
becoming one of only approximately 50 Missouri high school basketball coaches,
active or retired, to ever reach the 500 win plateau, according to the Missouri
State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) record books; and
WHEREAS, in 2007
under Coach Marlin’s leadership, Ruskin won the Missouri Class 4 State
Championship, finishing with 29 straight wins and a record of 29-1. Following
that season, Coach Marlin won the Richard Fairchild Award, given to the Coach
of the Year by the Missouri Basketball Coaches’ Association; the Paul Lambert
Award, given to the Coach of the Year in the Kansas City metropolitan area; and
he was named Coach of the Year by The Kansas City Star and Metro
Sports. Coach Marlin also coached the West All Stars to a win in the
Missouri Hall of Fame Game and led the Missouri All Stars to a win over the
Kansas All Stars; and
WHEREAS, Coach
Marlin’s 500th win was recognized by the Missouri General Assembly, thanks to a
resolution sponsored by State Representative Joe Runions and co-sponsored by
Representatives Bonnaye Mims and Kevin McManus and a Senate resolution
sponsored by State Senator Jason Holsman; and
WHEREAS, Coach
Marlin’s professionalism, work ethic and dedication is a daily inspiration for
Ruskin High School staff and students; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED
BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor
and Council hereby honor and commend Coach Gerry Marlin for his meritorious
service to the City of Kansas City, Missouri and to Ruskin High School and the
Kansas City high school basketball community in particular; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in
testimony thereof, and that a copy hereof be presented to Coach Marlin in token
of the appreciation of the Mayor and Council for his many years of dedicated
service and of their best wishes for all the years to come.
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