[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE CAREERS OF WEST GENESSE LACROSSE COACHES MIKE MESSERE AND 
                               BOB DEEGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN KATKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 25, 2018

  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the careers of West 
Genesee lacrosse coaches Mike Messere and Bob Deegan.
   In a career lasting over forty years, Coach Messere was responsible 
for leading the West Genesee Men's Lacrosse program to 846 wins and 15 
New York State Class A Championships. Since the late 70s, Coach Messere 
brought unparalleled success to the program by instilling a mentality 
of hard-nose fundamental play into his players. Coaching alongside him 
for much of his career, Coach Deegan played an integral role in 
sustaining the program's long-term success by developing and 
implementing some of the most accomplished defensive schemes.
   Thanks to the contributions made by Coach Messere and Coach Deegan, 
lacrosse is thriving in Central New York and has now become the fastest 
growing sport in the country. Over the course of their careers, 
hundreds of players who have gone through this distinguished program 
have later won national championships at the collegiate level and even 
become coaches of their own teams. Now as the careers of these coaches 
comes to a close, the two can rest assured that their legacy in the 
sport of lacrosse will live on in Central New York and beyond.
   I am proud to honor the legendary careers of Coach Messere and Coach 
Deegan and want to thank them for spurring excitement and participation 
in the sport of lacrosse.

                          ____________________