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NIASHF Welcomes New 2010 Class On Saturday, February 27, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame will celebrate its 32nd Annual Induction Ceremony & Gala Weekend at Belvedere Events & Banquets in Elk Grove Village. Among this year’s honorees are Chicago Bears great Rick Casares, 1987 ALCS MVP Gary Gaetti, Paralympics Gold Medalist Linda Mastandrea, 1981 American League Rookie of the Year Dave Righetti, National Speed Skating Pioneer Mario Trafeli, current NABO Junior Welterweight Champion Paulie Malignaggi and TD Ameritrade Chairman Joe Moglia. “This year’s class of honorees represents the most diverse group entering the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame,” said National Leadership Committee Chairman Jerry Colangelo. “These athletes represent over seven decades of sports achievements, and we are proud of each and every accomplishment they have made to the world of sports.Casares, a five-time Pro Bowler, helped guide the Bears to their 1963 NFL Championship along with fellow legends Johnny Morris, Mike Ditka, Joe Fortunato, Ronnie Bull and Ed O’Bradovich, all of whom will be invited to this year’s festivities. Casares was the NFL’s rushing leader in 1956 with 1,126 yards and 12 touchdowns. Gaetti, a beloved figure in every town he played in, spent 20 seasons in the big leagues with the Twins, Angels, Royals, Cardinals, Cubs and Red Sox. He drilled 360 career home runs and was the first player in history to go deep in his first two postseason at-bats on his way to becoming the MVP of the 1987 American League Championship Series. Gaetti was selected to two All-Star Games and won four gold gloves. Mastandrea, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age three, competed in two Paralympics during the 1990s and hoisted 15 gold medals to go with 5 silver. Recently, Mastandrea who is also an attorney and author was the Director of Paralympic Sport and Accessibility for Chicago’s 2016 Summer Olympics bid. Righetti, going into his 11th season as pitching coach of the San Francisco Giants, burst onto the scene with the Yankees in 1981 by posting a 2.05 ERA while winning Rookie of the Year honors. Two years later, Righetti tossed a no-hitter on July 4 before becoming a dominant closer later in his career, making him the first person in history to pitch a no-no and lead his league in saves during a career. Trafeli won the Silver Skates Tournament in Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis while also winning the Race of Champions at Madison Square Garden in both 1952 and '54. During the Race of Champions, Trafeli set the national two-mile record, and he’s also the first Italian American in the sport of speed skating to enter the NIASHF. Malignaggi, the NIASHF Athlete of the Year, is a two-time New York Golden Gloves titleholder who recently avenged a controversial defeat to Juan Diaz in Chicago on December 12 with a convincing victory by unanimous decision. A former IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion, Malignaggi was awarded Ring Magazine’s Comeback of the Year in 2007. Moglia, the NIASHF Sportsman of the Year, has been instrumental over the last decade in turning TD Ameritrade from a small “dot com” to one of the most widely-recognized names in financial services. A former honoree of the National Italian American Foundation, Moglia has assisted TD Ameritrade in becoming a global leader in U.S. retail online equity trades. Along with the latest group of NIASHF honorees, legends and inductees of the past will be a part of this year’s gala. Baseball Ambassador and Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda, Future Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, Chicago’s Immortal Goaltender Tony Esposito and many others from the sports and entertainment worlds are expected to attend. In addition, there will be a special appearance and musical presentation by the former stars of the Chicago cast of Jersey Boys. Proceeds from the 32nd Annual Induction Ceremony & Gala Weekend will go to The Level Playing Field Program which is an after-school youth program designed to immerse students into the world of achievement and possibility. Its purpose is to inspire young students to focus on improving themselves and not to lose hope in what can be a challenging environment. Sponsorship of The Level Playing Field Program will help students learn about the values of hard work, community and commitment to learning along with inspiring students to participate in athletics or pursue a dream of achievement.
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Located in Chicago's historic "Little Italy" neighborhood, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit educational institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of Italian Americans in sports. Our collection aims to honor and preserve Italian Americans who have made lasting contributions to sports and society. The NIASHF has awarded over $6 million in scholarships to students from all backgrounds for their academic and athletic endeavors through our Second Wind and A Level Playing Field outreach programs. |
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Click HERE to vote for your all time Italian American baseball team contest Join us for 32nd Annual Induction and Awards Gala Weekend Friday, February 26, 2010: VIP Reception at the NIASHF Saturday, February 27, 2010: Induction Ceremony at the Belvedere Banquet Hall in Elk Grove Village honoring 2010 Sportsman of the Year Joseph Moglia Chairman of TD Ameritrade |
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Save the date! 3rd Annual Tommy Lasorda Open Monday, August 23, 2010 Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort 250 W. Schick Rd Bloomingdale, Illinois
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Volunteer: The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame is always looking for people to help us with programs and projects.
Donate: There are several ways to donate to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. For your options, please call Shannon O'Mara at (312) 226-5566 or email at shannon@niashf.org
The NIASHF would like to give a special thank you to the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO). To learn more about these impressive organizations, please see the video section in the multimedia center above.
