Vermont HCR 177: House concurrent resolution in memory of Penny Walker-Reen of Morrisville

Bill Text

R-218 Page 1 of 1
2026

VT LEG #387223 v.1
No. R-218. House concurrent resolution congratulating Twin Valley High School
Athletic Director extraordinaire and 500 game-winning boys’ soccer coach Buddy
Hayford.
(H.C.R.177)
Offered by All Members of the House
Offered by Senators Bongartz, Harrison, Hashim and Plunkett
Whereas, typically, high school graduation concludes students’ daily association with
their alma mater, but for Buddy Hayford, Twin Valley class of 1975, a different path
ensued, and
Whereas, after earning his bachelor’s degree at the former Lyndon State College,
Buddy Hayford returned home to Twin Valley to commence a legendary career as a
physical education instructor, multisport coach, and now, in his 39th academic year, the
longest-serving high school athletic director in Vermont, and
Whereas, as a girls’ basketball coach, Buddy Hayford compiled an enviable 34-season
437–283 record that included two state titles and four second-place season records, and
he has previously coached softball, baseball, and tennis, and in 2026 he will coach track
and field for an 11th season, and
Whereas, on September 9, 2025, Buddy Hayford, who, for over 43 years of coaching
Wildcats boys’ soccer, guided over 350 players on the pitch and clinched 10 divisional
titles, summited a new career peak, becoming the first Vermont high school soccer coach,
and only the fourth in New England, to clinch a 500th victory, as the Wildcats
overwhelmed Green Mountain Union High School 10–1 in a contest that truly reflected
this momentous occasion and increased his career boys’ soccer coaching record to 500–
163–27, and
Whereas, at a postgame ceremony featuring firetrucks, police cars, and banners,
current and former coaching colleagues and players exuberantly congratulated Buddy
Hayford on this historic milestone, and
Whereas, in recognition of Buddy Hayford’s superb teaching and coaching leadership,
which he considers as synonymous, Twin Valley has named the school’s athletic field in
his honor, and the Vermont Principals’ Association, the Vermont Basketball Coaches
Association, and Lyndon State College have elected him to their respective
organizations’ halls of fame, now therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly honors Twin Valley High School Athletic Director
extraordinaire and 500 game-winning boys’ soccer coach Buddy Hayford, and be it
further
Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Buddy Hayford and Twin Valley High School.