Jennifer Capriati
Tennis
Jennifer Capriati is one of the most accomplished tennis players in American history. She has won three Grand Slam singles titles, as well as the women’s singles Gold Medal at the 1992 Olympic Games. During her career, Capriati has won 14 professional singles titles and 1 doubles title.
Born in 1976 in New York City, Capriati was introduced to tennis at a young age by her father, Stefano Capriati, a tennis coach and former boxer who currently serves as her daughter’s coach. At the age of ten, her family moved to Florida, where she was enrolled in a training program run by Jimmy Evert, the father of Chris Evert. Capriati took the tennis world by storm in 1989 by becoming the youngest player to win the French Open junior singles title at the age of 13. She went on to win the junior singles title at the 1989 US Open, and the junior doubles titles at both the US Open and Wimbledon.
Capriati turned professional in 1990 at the age of 13. In her debut tournament on the tour, at Boca Raton, Florida, she defeated four seeded players on her way to becoming the youngest-ever player to reach a tour final. Three months later, she became the youngest-ever semifinalist at the French Open, and she won her first top-level singles title that October in Puerto Rico. Capriati reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in 1991, becoming Wimbledon’s youngest-ever semifinalist after defeating the defending-champion Martina Navratilova in the quarterfinals.
At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, Capriati became the first American tennis player to win an Olympic Gold Medal. In the final, she defeated 1988 Gold Medalist Steffi Graf in three sets 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. After an extended hiatus from tennis, Capriati returned to the professional tour in 1996, winning the WTA Tour Comeback Player of the Year Award. In May 1999 she won her first tournament in six years at Strasbourg.
Capriati broke through at a Grand Slam in 2001, winning the Australian Open Final 6-4, 6-3 over World #1 Martina Hingis. She followed this up by capturing the French Open title five months later, beating Kim Clijsters in a dramatic final 1-6, 6-4, 12-10. In October 2001, Capriati attained the World No. 1 ranking. Capriati won her third Grand Slam title in 2002, when she successfully defended her Australian Open crown. In the final against Hingis, Capriati was 4-6, 0-4 down at one point, but battled back to win 4-6, 7-6, 6-2.
Despite a shoulder injury that sidelined her for most of 2005, Capriati remains one of the most dangerous and respected players on the WTA Tour. She lives and trains in Florida, where she promotes youth tennis and is involved in several worthy causes, including Tennis for Africa, which raises money for relief efforts in the continent.
Capriati was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012. She was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
John Conti
Football
Conti was a standout player and a leader on the University of Dayton football team, serving as captain of the 1949 squad that made history by winning the school’s first Missouri Valley Conference championship. A dominant force on the field, he earned United Press Honorable Mention All-American honors in 1948, showcasing his skill and prowess at both offensive and defensive positions. At 6’1” and weighing 300 pounds, he was not only the biggest player in college football at the time but also one of the most intimidating.
As a key figure on the offensive line, Conti played a pivotal role in one of the program’s most memorable performances. He helped lead the Red and White to a school-record 547 yards rushing against Duquesne in 1949, a feat that remains etched in Dayton football history. Known for his strength and agility, he was also regarded as a lethal pass rusher, a testament to his versatility and ability to dominate on both sides of the ball.
After his playing days, Conti transitioned into coaching, returning to Dayton as the freshman line coach in 1949 and 1950, where he mentored the next generation of players. His contributions to the university were later recognized with prestigious honors, including the U-D Alumnus Award and the Athletic Director’s Ring Award, both of which celebrated his outstanding impact on Dayton football, both on and off the field. Conti’s legacy remains a cornerstone of Dayton’s football tradition, embodying leadership, excellence, and dedication.
Dan Pastorini
Football, Motorsports
Dan Pastorini was a talented and resilient quarterback who played for Santa Clara University from 1968 to 1971. A Second-Team AP Little All-American selection, he ranked among the top-10 in nine of the school’s all-time passing categories. Pastorini’s standout performance in 1971 earned him the title of Most Outstanding Player in the 46th Annual Shine East-West Classic at the Oakland Coliseum.
Following his successful college career, Pastorini was selected 3rd overall by the Houston Oilers in the 1971 NFL Draft. Over his eight seasons with the Oilers, he became known for his toughness, playing through injuries such as broken ribs and even a punctured lung, missing only five regular-season games. In 1975, he earned a spot on the AFC Pro Bowl Team. Pastorini’s peak year came in 1978, when he threw for a career-high 2,473 yards and 16 touchdowns. In the playoffs that year, he led the Oilers to victories over the Miami Dolphins and the AFC East Champion New England Patriots, helping propel the team to new heights.
After his time with the Oilers, Pastorini played for the Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and Philadelphia Eagles, retiring from the NFL in 1983. But Pastorini’s competitive spirit didn’t end with football. After retirement, he pursued a career in motorsports, becoming one of the top drivers in the NHRA Top Fuel Circuit. In 1986, he won his first national event at the NHRA Southern Nationals and finished 7th in the NHRA Championship standings. Pastorini was also one of the first drivers to break the 270-mph barrier in a Top Fuel dragster.
In recognition of his achievements on and off the field, Pastorini was inducted into the Santa Clara University Hall of Fame in 1990, cementing his legacy as both a football and motorsport legend.
Mike Piazza
Baseball
Mike Piazza’s journey to baseball greatness is a true underdog story. Selected as the 1,390th pick in the 62nd round of the 1988 MLB Draft, Piazza went from an overlooked draft choice to one of the greatest hitting catchers in baseball history. In less than 30 years, he went from being a 62nd-round pick to earning a plaque in Cooperstown.
Born on September 4, 1968, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Piazza’s baseball roots ran deep. His father, Vince, grew up alongside Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, who would later recommend Piazza to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Initially a first baseman at the University of Miami and Miami-Dade Community College, Piazza switched to catcher upon joining the Dodgers organization.
After struggling in the minors, including a brief period when he considered quitting, Piazza’s power began to shine. In 1991 and 1992, he hit 52 home runs, establishing himself as a top prospect. He made his MLB debut in 1992, and in 1993, he broke out with 35 home runs, 112 RBIs, and a .318 batting average, winning National League Rookie of the Year honors.
From 1993 to 1997, Piazza was a consistent powerhouse, averaging over 33 home runs and 105 RBIs per season, all while maintaining a .337 batting average. In 1997, he became the first catcher to ever record 200 hits in a season. Defensively, he was a durable presence behind the plate, leading the league in putouts and assists multiple times.
However, after contract disputes with the Dodgers, Piazza was traded to the Florida Marlins in May 1998 and then swiftly dealt to the New York Mets, where his career truly flourished. That season, Piazza hit 32 home runs and drove in 111 RBIs. Over the next few years, he led the Mets to playoff berths in 1999 and 2000, advancing to the World Series in 2000.
Piazza continued to excel in the early 2000s, hitting over 30 homers and 90 RBIs in 2001 and 2002. However, the physical toll of catching began to catch up with him. He finished his career with 427 home runs, including a record 396 as a catcher, and 1,335 RBIs. Piazza was a 12-time All-Star, a 10-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and a two-time runner-up for the National League MVP.
Piazza retired after the 2007 season and was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 and th National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016. His legacy as one of the game’s most powerful and consistent hitters, combined with his impact behind the plate, solidified his place in baseball history.
