PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Tom Penders is a native of Stratford and a graduate of Stratford High School, where he was an MBIAC All-Star and lead the state in scoring averaging 15 points per game as a junior and senior; and
WHEREAS, Tom Penders attended UCONN as a college student athlete where he played basketball and baseball. He is one of the few players to have competed in the NCAA Tournament, as well as the College World Series; and
WHEREAS, Tom Penders was drafted to play professional baseball in 1968 by the Cleveland Indians. He played for one year before beginning his coaching career in 1969 at the high school level; and
WHEREAS, Tom Penders has been a college basketball head coach for 35 years and has a winning career record; and
WHEREAS, Tom Penders began his collegiate coaching career at Tufts University. He then went on to become the men’s basketball head coach at Columbia University, Fordham University, University of Rhode Island, University of Texas and George Washington University, before becoming the current head coach at the University of Houston where he has experienced 5 consecutive winning seasons; and
WHEREAS, Tom Penders spent three years as an analyst for ESPN and Westwood One Radio; and
WHEREAS, Tom Penders is arguably one of the best collegiate basketball coaches, and is certainly admired and considered to be a celebrity by many Stratford residents. His spirit and passion for the game of basketball resonates with so many people.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, James R. Miron, Mayor, do hereby invite all members of the community to join me in recognizing Stratford’s very own Tom Penders for his many coaching accomplishments, and for representing his native Town of Stratford in a positive way throughout his coaching career.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Town of Stratford this 10th day of June 2009.
Mayor James R. Miron |