2023 -- H 6143

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING JOE MAZZULLA ON BEING NAMED THE 19TH HEAD COACH OF

THE BOSTON CELTICS

     Introduced By: Representatives Fellela, Cardillo, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Costantino,
Perez, Chippendale, J. Lombardi, Hull, and Phillips

     Date Introduced: March 09, 2023

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Joe Mazzulla was born in Johnston and attended Bishop Hendricken High

School, where he excelled at basketball, leading Hendricken to three Rhode Island State Titles,

with the last one occurring during his senior year when he hit a clutch last second shot to win the

Championship; and

     WHEREAS, After graduating, Joe Mazzulla accepted a basketball scholarship offer from

the University of West Virginia, where he once again excelled on the court and led his teams to

success at the highest levels. In his freshman year, he helped lead the Mountaineers to victory in

the 2002 National Invitation Tournament; and

     WHEREAS, In his sophomore season, Mr. Mazzulla played one of the best games in his

illustrious career, when he led West Virginia to a stunning second-round upset over powerhouse

Duke. In that game, he scored thirteen points, grabbed eleven rebounds and dished out eight

assists; and

     WHEREAS, After missing his junior season with a shoulder injury, Mr. Mazzulla

returned the following season as Captain of the team, and helped lead them to the NCAA Final

Four. He once again performed at his best in an important game leading the Mountaineers to

another big upset as they defeated the supremely talented Kentucky Wildcats in the Elite Eight,

with Joe scoring seventeen points; and

     WHEREAS, After graduating from college, Mr. Mazzulla entered the coaching

profession, when he accepted a job at Glenville State, serving as an Assistant Coach. He later

moved to Fairmont State, also as an Assistant Coach, and later served as an Assistant Coach in

the NBA G League for the Maine Red Claws; and

     WHEREAS, In 2017, Coach Mazzulla was named Head Coach of Fairmont State. In his

second season, he led them to an outstanding 22-9 record and a berth in the 2009 NCAA Division

II Tournament; and

     WHEREAS, In June of 2019, Joe Mazzulla accepted an Assistant Coaching position with

the Boston Celtics. On September 22nd of 2022, he was named Interim Head Coach and after

leading the Celtics to a League best 18-4 record to start the season, and being named the Eastern

Conference Coach of the Month for October and November, he was officially named the Boston

Celtics Head Coach on February 16, 2023; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

heartily congratulates Joe Mazzulla on being named the nineteenth Head Coach in the illustrious

history of the Boston Celtics. We wish him continued success as he hopefully leads the Boston

Celtics to a Championship to conclude the 2022-2023 NBA Season; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Joe Mazzulla, Head Coach of the Boston

Celtics.

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