SUNY Brockport hands out Alumni Association awards

Five area residents were awarded by the SUNY College at Brockport's Alumni Association at a ceremony October 8.

George M. Rich was awarded the SUNY Brockport Alumni Association Hall of Heritage Award. This is the association's most prestigious award, designed to honor those who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to the Alumni Association, the college or their community. Rich is the outgoing president of the Brockport Alumni Association, completing two consecutive terms as president. He has been a board member since 1991 as well as an ex-officio member of all committees and representative to the College Council. Rich was also president and vice president of the Western Monroe County Historical Society.

A Brockport resident, he is a retired Rochester City School District teacher and editor of the Rochester Teacher's Association newspaper for 10 years.

Linda J. Case received an outstanding service award. This honor is given to those who have helped perform outstanding community service or shown professional achievement.

A resident of Holley, she has been the director of Intercollegiate Athletics at the College since 1995, and was the director of recreation from 1995 to 1999. Case was the president of the State University of New York Athletic Conference for 2003-04, and was named Jostens ECAC Female Administrator of the Year for 2003. Along with her awards she was inducted into the Canandaigua Academy Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. Under her leadership, the football, basketball and soccer team have seen many improvements and advances on and off the field.

Brockport resident Robert C. Conrad was awarded a citation of appreciation. The citation honors those individuals who have demonstrated sustained commitment through their services to the Alumni Association. In 2000, Conrad was named assistant superintendent of instruction with the Brockport Central School District. In 2002 he added responsibilities of assistant superintendent for personnel.

Conrad has been an adjunct professor in the Department of Education and Human Development at SUNY Brockport since 1997. Along with his teaching, Conrad play a role with the America Reads Program by placing SUNY Brockport students as tutors with at-risk children within the Brockport Central School District.

W. Bruce Leslie, a history professor at SUNY College at Brockport, was also awarded a citation of appreciation. A resident of Brockport, Leslie has been a member of the Department of History at Brockport since 1970. In 1979, he was named associate professor and full professor in 1996.

Leslie is currently working on a book on the history of SUNY Brockport since 1945. He has delivered the last three Hartwell Society keynote addresses focusing mainly on the current 50-year Reunion Class.

Rocco P. Salomone was awarded a citation of appreciation. Salomone has been the head football coach at SUNY Brockport since 1994, and was the assistant coach at the college in 1988 and from 1990 to 1994. Salomone has led the Golden Eagles to four consecutive NCAA Division III football playoff appearances; these were the first four in the school's history, and one of only five schools in the country to accomplish that feat over that span. In 2000, the team posted first undefeated season of 8-0, and 2002 team made NCAA Quarterfinals where they were named ECAC and Lambert Meadowlands Division III Team of the Year.

Salomone has had more wins (61) than any football coach in school history. Salomone has coached numerous All-Americans and has one former player in the National Football League. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1988 and a master's in athletic administration in 1990.