SR0509 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0509 LRB096 15681 GRL 30917 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ron Sobieszczyk, who passed away on October 23, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Ron Sobieszczyk attended Providence St. Mel High School, where he unsuccessfully tried out for the junior varsity squad; undaunted, he transferred to St. Bonaventure Academy in Wisconsin before enrolling at DePaul University; and

WHEREAS, As captain of DePaul University's 1956 team, Ron Sobieszczyk led his team into the NCAA tournament and was one of the nation's top free-throw shooters and rebounders; in total, he scored 1,222 points for the Blue Demons between 1953 and 1956 and has the 4th highest scoring average in DePaul's history; after graduating, he was named MVP of the World Series of Basketball, a 21-game tour between the Harlem Globetrotters and college all-stars; and

WHEREAS, Following his stint at DePaul, Ron Sobieszczyk was drafted 6th in the first round by the Fort Wayne Pistons; he was subsequently traded to the Knicks, where he played for 4 seasons; during his time with the Knicks, he appeared in 192 games and scored nearly 1,700 points; he then played one game for the Minneapolis Lakers before a knee injury cut his career short; and

WHEREAS, Ron Sobieszczyk was the operator of a sports bar in Cicero; and

WHEREAS, Ron Sobieszczyk was entered into the DePaul University's inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1976 in recognition of his stellar career; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Sobieszczyk is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ann; his son, Lee; his daughters, Maria and Francine; his 14 grandchildren; and his great-grandchild; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Ron Sobieszczyk; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Ron Sobieszczyk as an expression of our sympathy.