Mike Rizzo

Baseball

Mike Rizzo is a prominent American baseball executive, best known for his role as the General Manager and President of Baseball Operations for the Washington Nationals. Under his leadership, the Nationals achieved great success, including their first-ever World Series championship in 2019.

Rizzo’s career in baseball began in the 1980s as a scout for the Chicago White Sox, where he developed a strong reputation for talent evaluation. He later served in various scouting and front-office roles, including Director of Scouting for the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he was instrumental in the development of their farm system.

Known for his sharp eye for talent and his commitment to building a competitive team, Rizzo has overseen several successful trades and draft picks for the Nationals. His tenure has been marked by the development of key players such as Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, and Max Scherzer, and his ability to construct a roster capable of winning the 2019 World Series.

Missie Berteotti

Golf

Missie Berteotti was a 14-year veteran on the LPGA tour after a successful career at the University of Miami. At Miami, she led her Hurricane team to the 1984 NCAA team title and individually was the co-medalist in that NCAA tournament. While playing on tour, earning over 1 million dollars, she had 27 top 10 finishes, including multiple top 10’s in all the five majors; The Dinah Shore Championship, The Canadian Du Maurier Classic, The LPGA Championship, The Women’s British Open, and The Women’s U.S. Open Championship. A career highlight was her victory at the 1993 Boston Ping Welch’s Classic.

After retiring from the tour to return to Pittsburgh to raise her son, she spent her working time as a golf coach, and the underlying core of all of her coaching is found in her book, The Mental Mastery Program™. Advocacy for women is a commitment in Missies’ life. She has had so many opportunities to meet and interact with men and women leaders on the golf course.

Most recent came the opportunity to return to her chosen field of study from college; Finance. Missie received her degree in Finance from the University of Miami and always loved business. This love is what led her to transition into the financial services industry. She joined Luttner Financial Group (LFG) in 2017 and has achieved the title of Financial Advisor.

Whatever the subject, Missie is most happy and gets energized in the role of coaching and educating others on the values she grew up with in her household; love, respect, pursuing your passions, hard work, and dedication. Missie continues to live in Pittsburgh with her family and the community she loves.

Lou Nanne

Hockey

In 1959, Lou Nanne left his home in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, to play hockey for the University of Minnesota and to earn his business degree. After graduation, Lou worked at Mackay Envelope Company until he was selected to captain the 1968 US Olympic hockey team in Grenoble, France. After the Olympics, Lou returned to the States to play for the Minnesota North Stars for the next ten years. He would eventually become coach, general manager and then president until 1991.

Lou’s broadcast experience includes the Stanley Cup, Olympics, NCAA Frozen Four and the Boys’ State High School Hockey Tournament games, and he still does two radio shows a week. His many accomplishments include the NHL’s Lester Patrick Trophy, induction into the Hall of Fame for the USA, Minnesota, the U of M, and the International Ice Hockey Federation. Lou is the current chair of the University of Minnesota’s Athletic Facilities Campaign.

In 1991, Lou began his career in the asset management business, and has been with RBC Global Asset Management since 1995.

Giuseppe Rossi

Soccer, Olympian

Born in New Jersey, Giuseppe Rossi, has played for Manchester United and Newcastle United in England, Parma, Fiorentina and Genoa in Italy and Villarreal, Levante and Celta Vigo in Spain, scoring 128 goals in 336 matches across all competitions for clubs in the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga. At international level, Rossi represented Italy at the 2008 Summer Olympics, and at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, collecting thirty appearances and scoring seven goals at senior level between 2008 and 2014. Along with Mario Balotelli and Daniele De Rossi, he is Italy’s all-time top scorer in the FIFA Confederations Cup, with two goals.

In September 2021, Rossi began his career as sports commentator for Calcio e Cappuccino, an American television program dedicated to the Serie A and broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

Sean Stellato

The “Italian Stallion” of Sports Agents

Sean’s work in the world of sports encompasses many aspects on and off the field. His inspiring story began when he led his high school football team to the unlikeliest of victories at Salem High in 1994. Sean, together with his team, overcame intense adversity on their path to victory. Sean went on and turned this moving story into a highly acclaimed book, “No Backing Down,” that proves the power of teamwork and dedication can overcome the most extreme obstacles. The book is enshrined at the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s library in Canton and the New Patriots Hall of Fame in Foxboro. His book has received endorsements from Doug Flutie, Bill Belichick, Mike Eruzione, Mark Bavaro, Mike Ditka, Sean Payton, Adam Schefter, Evander Holyfield, Chip Kelly, CBS 60 minutes, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, the Boston Globe, the New York Daily News, the Washington Post, and CNN. His book is now being made into a major motion picture, with the screenplay being written by Angelo Pizzo – who also wrote Rudy and Hoosiers.

After high school, Sean attended the Gunnery Preparatory School, during his year there he was named Most Valuable Player in both football and basketball while also being named All-New England in both sports. He went on to Marist College where he was a Division 1 athlete, and the leading receiver in both the 2000 and 2001 seasons as well as a member of the MAAC All-Academic team for football and basketball for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He broke the all-time receiving TD record for touchdowns in a season. After a successful college football career, Sean played professional football in the Arena League before going on to start his own business, Stellato Enhanced Sports, working as a sports agent.

Sean has used his comprehensive knowledge and experience in sports in his successful work as an agent, helping over 100 clients in the last 17 years. He has represented 20 Super Bowl Champions and his current roster consists of 15 plus clients. He works tirelessly at helping his clients achieve their career goals. Whether it is negotiating a large contract or getting a player on an Olympic team, Sean will do everything he can to get the job done. With a number of clients playing for New England Patriots, Sean was the only sports agent invited to the ring ceremony at the Kraft house in 2015. In additional to his work as a sports agent, Sean works as a motivational speaker, providing motivational speeches to students and young athletes across the country. His positive attitude and infectious energy make it easy for him to connect with people, especially young athletes. With his motivational speaking, Sean works to reach a new generation of student-athletes, using his inspiring stories to motivate a younger generation.

Sean seeks to give back to the community that did so much for him. He is a strong supporter of LifeBridge Homeless Shelter in his hometown of Salem, Massachusetts. He also volunteers his time at Shriners Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital and St. Jude’s hospital, among others. Sean is also the founder of All-American Fundamental Football Showcase for kids. The program is in its 14th year, supporting children in their dreams and pursuit of an athletic career. Through the program, children receive instruction and support in all phases of the game, on and off the field. Sean provides support to many non profit organizations that help children and athletes.

Sean has been the recipient of, and recognized, with many awards and honors. He has been inducted into the Salem High School Hall of Fame, The Gunnery School Hall of Fame and the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (Massachusetts Chapter), and was recently named a Boston Business Journal 40 under 40 honoree, Boston Chamber of Commerce Top 10 Young Leaders (JFK recipient in 1952) and was featured on the cover of North Shore Magazine, a Massachusetts publication that reaches over 100,000 households and businesses. Sean has also been featured in Sports Network as one of the “Top Agents in the NFL.”

Sean’s dedication and hard work on and off of the field make him an outstanding candidate for the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. He has dedicated his life and career to sports, and exemplifies what it is to be a team player and motivator for those around him. But it doesn’t stop there. He knows the power of giving back, and continues to make it a priority in both his personal and professional life – often teaming up with his players in his efforts. For Sean, it is much more than being a sports agent or author. He prides himself on being a family man – he is a proud husband to Krista and father to four daughters, Gianna, Sophia, Giulietta and Siena Sicily as well as a friend and supporter for all of the people he works with. Sean wishes to motivate people and help them achieve their dreams.

Louis Scripa Jr.

Endurance and Fitness Icon

Louis Scripa Jr. is a distinguished endurance athlete and a dedicated community leader, known for his remarkable achievements in long-distance cycling and his lifelong commitment to helping others. Born and raised in Chicago, Scripa has spent decades competing in some of the most grueling endurance events, including the prestigious Race Across America (RAAM), which he completed multiple times. His passion for endurance sports began in his youth and evolved into a lifelong pursuit that has earned him recognition as an icon in the endurance community. Scripa set various records, including 104,538 jumping jacks in 24 hours, 41,788 leg raises in 12 hours, 110,015 crunches in 17 hours, 133,581 crunches in 30 hours, 160,974 sit-ups in 82 hours and 70,715 sit-ups in 24 hours or less.

Scripa’s involvement in cycling is not just limited to competition—he has been a key figure in supporting local charitable causes, using his athletic endeavors to raise awareness and funds for organizations such as the American Cancer Society. Beyond his sporting achievements, Scripa has also been an influential mentor to aspiring athletes, demonstrating the importance of perseverance, dedication, and giving back to the community.

Throughout his career, Scripa’s resilience and positive attitude have made him a role model for many, inspiring countless individuals to push their limits and live healthier, more active lives.

Mario Massa

Bocce Legend

Mario was the first Bocce player or dignitary to ever be inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Mario’s legacy and impact on the game of bocce are palpable. A past President of the United States Bocce Federation and former President of the Highwood Bocce Club, Mario loved the game of Bocce and was dedicated to promoting the sport. He was instrumental in the emergence of the United States in international bocce competitions.

A talented athlete throughout his life, he played Rugby in 1938-39, until he was enlisted for World War II. When returning to the U.S. Mario began to grow his career, and his interest in bocce and connections with fellow Italians who settled in the Highwood area. In 1969, he joined a group of fellow countrymen who founded and helped build the Highwood Bocce Club.

In 1976, Massa teamed-up with Chris Geraldo, the founder of the U.S. Bocce Federation(USBF), as Geraldo asked Massa to serve as the organization’s first Vice President. Joining this group gave Massa a platform to promote bocce in the USA ad receive recognition from the international perspective.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s Mass developed a reputation as one of the U.S.’s elite bocce players. He represented the United States for a total of four times as a player and four times as a coach in the World Championships. In 1994 Massa was appointed an International Delegate to the World Congress of Bocce, representing the USBF and giving the U.S. a seat on the international governing body of the sport.

Ed Kelly

Boxing, Softball Player and Manager

Born in Chicago in 1924 and raised in the area now known as Cabrini-Green, Ed Kelly began his Chicago Park District career as a teacher at a local park and worked his way up to General Superintendent in 1973. For over a decade Ed Kelly managed the parks and its thousands of employees with the tact and efficiency of another Chicagoan and former softball player – Mayor Richard J. Daley.

Before his career with the Chicago Park District, Kelly spent some adventure filled years as a tail gunner with the Marine Corps in the South Pacific during World War II. During his Marine career, Kelly was named to the Al-Service Basketball Team and won the welterweight boxing championship. He called upon these skills and memories when he managed the Park District by reviving the amateur boxing program, expanding the Junior Bears program, and initiating the citywide softball tournament. Kelly also installed closed-circuit television security at Grant Park Garage and lobbied for and presided over the renovation of Soldier Field. 

Besides his success as the Chicago Park District superintendent, Ed Kelly also had quite a stellar softball career that included stints with Spalters, O’Boyles, and Kool Vent Awnings where he did battle against many of the Pioneer legends of the game. Kelly was player – manager with Spalters when they twice captured the Windy City championship at North Town Stadium. Spalters also won nine consecutive jackpots at Thillens Stadium. He played on championship teams with St Cyr Knights of Columbus, started and ran the Andy Frain Invitational Softball Tournament for twelve years, and won the Grant Park Tournament of Champions with First National Bank. Ed Kelly even conducted baseball schools under baseball legend, Rogers Hornsby.

Ed Kelly’s dedication to the people of Chicago has not gone unnoticed. He has been voted Man of the Year by over twenty-five civic and private organizations, including the American Legion, Special Olympics, local Teamster organizations, and many senior groups.

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