Tribute to Jeff Long

TRIBUTE TO JEFF LONG-HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN (Extensions of Remarks - June 18, 2004)

HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN
OF MASSACHUSETTS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, today it is my pleasure to honor one of Massachusetts' most outstanding and dedicated Athletic Directors, Jeff Long. After almost 40 years of coaching and directing, Mr. Lewis has certainly deserved his retirement years.

He began his commendable career in 1966, coaching football at Norwich University after having graduated from Norwich that same year. Serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army did not stop him, as he continued to coach football in Germany in 1967.

Mr. Lewis kept on coaching both track and football at Dedham High School until 1973 when he began his run at Marlboro High. Ten years later he was appointed as the School's Athletic Director, and took on an array of other leadership roles. Some of these roles included serving on the Executive Board of the Mass Secondary School Athletic Directors Association to which he was appointed president in 1997-98, as well as being appointed President of the MIAA in 2002.

All of his hard work has paid off over the years as he has been recognized with several awards and nominations-a few of which include Athletic Director of the Year in 1991, the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award in 1994, and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association State Award of Merit.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize such an outstanding professional, so passionately committed to his work. With the retirement of Jeff Long Marlboro High says goodbye to one it's most effective and talented leaders, and I along with my colleagues wish him and his family all the best in the years to come.

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