Frank Lenti
Football Coach
Frank E. Lenti, Mount Carmel Class of 1969, stands as one of the most accomplished high school football coaches in Illinois history. After earning All-Catholic League honors in baseball, he returned to his alma mater in 1982 as a teacher and assistant coach, becoming head football coach just two years later. Over the next 34 seasons, Lenti transformed Mount Carmel into the state’s premier football program.
Under his leadership, the Caravan recorded an extraordinary 374 wins and 77 losses, the most victories by a head coach at one school in Illinois history. His teams claimed 11 IHSA State Championships and made 14 title game appearances, earning Mount Carmel national recognition for its consistency, toughness, and discipline.
As Athletic Director from 1988 to 2018, Lenti’s impact extended far beyond football. He mentored coaches across all sports, promoting his “coach the coaches” philosophy that emphasized preparation, accountability, and teamwork. His influence shaped not only championship teams but also generations of student-athletes and leaders.
Respected by peers and beloved by players, Frank Lenti’s name has become synonymous with excellence, integrity, and tradition. His legacy lives on through every player, coach, member of the Mount Carmel community and his induction into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
Vic Carucci
Sports Journalism
Vic Carucci has covered the NFL as a writer and broadcaster for nearly five decades.
During his long and distinguished media career, he has authored 11 books about pro football (including multiple New York Times best-sellers and covered Super Bowls, the World Series, Stanley Cup Finals, and NBA Championship Finals.
Vic arrived in Buffalo in 1982 for the first of two stints covering the Bills and writing sports columns for the Buffalo News. He won additional national writing awards from the Associated Press, as well as New York State AP recognition.
In 1999, the NFL conducted a nationwide search before naming Vic national editor and columnist for NFL Insider Magazine. He also became the first full-time columnist for NFL.com, a move that helped spark a trend of long-time print journalists crossing over to digital platforms, including those at ESPN, CBS and Fox.
After 12 seasons with NFL.com, the Cleveland Browns hired Vic to oversee their internal digital media entities as senior editor. In addition, he became the first host of a newly created radio program, “Cleveland Browns Daily,” broadcasting from a studio constructed in the heart of the team facility on Cleveland’s ESPN radio affiliate.
Since 2004, Vic has been a national co-host on SiriusXM NFL Radio. After his retirement from the News in 2021, he became a regular contributor to Bills and NFL coverage for WGRZ-TV Ch. 2. He also is the co-host on the station’s signature sports show, Sports Talk Live Buffalo.
Vic has spent more than a decade serving on the selection committee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’s on the voting panel for the Associated Press’ All-Pro team and individual postseason honors, a past president of the Pro Football Writers of America. Vic has been inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, joining a class that includes 4-Time Super bowl Champion Tight End, Rob Gronkowski.
Sal Fasano
Baseball
Salvatore Frank Fasano, the son of Italian immigrants, was a former professional baseball catcher, who played for several different Major League Baseball teams, including catching two games during the Los Angeles Angles World Series victory.
Upon retiring as a player, he became a coach within the Toronto Blue Jays organization, winning the league championship in 201. His coaching style provided inspiration and direction for hundreds of young up and coming players. He then won Minor League Manager of the Year awards. Sal was also a coach for Team Italy during the 2017 world baseball classic. Despite his illustrious career as a catching coach, Sal currently serves as the assistant pitching and catching coach for the Los Angeles Angels.
Sal Fasano, deemed one of the nicest, most approachable and inspirational pros in baseball, and a 2025 inductee into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
Bob Thomas
Football
A champion on and off the field, Bob Thomas made his mark as one of the most dependable kickers in football history. A standout at the University of Notre Dame, Thomas helped lead the Fighting Irish to the 1973 national championship, sealing the title with his game-winning field goal in the Sugar Bowl.
Drafted into the NFL, Thomas enjoyed a 12-year career, including 10 seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he scored 629 points and earned a place among the team’s all-time leading scorers. His legendary 1977 overtime field goal against the Giants remains one of the most memorable moments in Bears history.
While excelling on the field, Thomas also pursued excellence beyond the game—earning a law degree and eventually serving as Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court (2005–2008). His journey from championship athlete to respected jurist exemplifies dedication, integrity, and perseverance worthy of Hall of Fame recognition.
Ron Francis
Hockey
Ron Francis played less than a year and a half of junior hockey before joining the Hartford Whalers in the NHL early in the 1981-82 season. Although just a 19-year-old rookie, Francis showed maturity well beyond his years when he first stepped onto NHL ice. He had 25 goals and 68 points his first season.
Midway through the 1984-85 season, Ron was made one of the youngest captains in NHL history, at 22 year of age. Although he routinely scored 25 goals and 80 points on average, Francis was trade to the Stanley Cup favorites, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Francis played in four All-Star games and has won the Selke Trophy and the Lady Byng Trophy. While playing for Pittsburgh behind the legendary Mario Lemieux, he became not only a top goal scorer but one of the best passing centers and two-way players in the league. Pittsburgh won back-to-back Cup titles in 1991 and 1992, and Francis twice reached the 100-point plateau.
In 1998, He signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, and In 2002 Francis led the Hurricanes to their first Stanley Cup Final. At 35 he was the recipient of the King Clancy Memorial and his third Lady Byng Memorial. Drafted fourth overall in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, Francis played 23 seasons in the NHL, retiring second in all-time career assists (1,249), behind only Wayne Gretzky; fifth in career points (1,798); third in games played (1,731); and 27th in career goals (549).
In 2011, Francis was hired as the director of hockey operations for the Hurricanes. In 2014, he was promoted to general manager. Two years before, Francis had become a minority owner of the team. On July 18, 2019, he was hired as the first general manager of the Seattle Kraken where he currently serves as the president of hockey operations.
In 2017, Francis was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in the first 100 years of the league, and in 2025, inducted into the National Italian American Sports hall of Fame.
Lee Corso
Football
Lee Corso was born in Cicero, Illinois to Italian immigrants. In 1966, Corso coached six teams including the defensive backs coach at Navy. In 1969, he was named head coach at Louisville. After taking Louisville to only its second-ever bowl game in 1970, he was hired by Indiana in 1972, leading the Hoosiers to two winning seasons in 1979 and 1980.
After a stint as head football coach at Northern Illinois University, Lee was then hired by ESPN as an analyst for its Saturday College GameDay… and he never looked back. For 42 years he added color and a bit of comedy to the program. He became known for ending every weekly show with his headgear selection, a sought after end to the weekly program.
Lee Corso is a broadcasting legend, a respected veteran, and a 2025 inductee into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
Steve Cardillo
Weight Training
A lifelong advocate for fitness and strength, Steve Cardillo turned his passion for training into a legacy that has shaped athletes around the world. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Cardillo served as a high school physical education teacher, dedicated to educating others on proper training, nutrition, and overall wellness.
In 1986, he captured the National Drug-Free Powerlifting Championship, setting the stage for his next venture — the founding of Cardillo Weight Belts in 1987. His innovative designs, including the Reebok Instapump Weight Lifting Belt in 1992, revolutionized athletic support gear. Over 37 years later, Cardillo Weight Belts remain an industry leader, trusted by elite athletes and celebrities such as Michael Jordan, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Hulk Hogan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Rob Gronkowski.
A respected fitness authority and entrepreneur, Cardillo is also a #1 Bestselling Author of How a Champion Is Made (2020), a motivational guide for young athletes. His hit TV series, Cardillo’s World, aired on NBC Sports Boston, earning two Emmy nominations in 2023 for Best Directing and Best Writing.
From national champion to innovator, educator, and Emmy-nominated creator, Steve Cardillo’s career embodies the power of dedication, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Joe Napoli
Baseball
Joseph Napoli Sr. was born in Brooklyn, New York. He began his athletic career working out with the Brooklyn Dodgers at 16 years of age. Joe shared the field with Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges and Roy Campanella, to name a few.
He Played baseball at Bradley University, leading the United States in hitting his senior year with a .490 batting average and a lifetime batting average is .392 – still stands as the school’s all-time high career average. Joe is a member of the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame and the Greater Peoria Hall of Fame.
Instead of pursuing a career in major league baseball, Joe became a highly respected attorney and a trusted and sought after sports agent. Even after 60 years, Joe continues to practice all levels of law. He is a senior Olympics Champion and a New York Ping Pong Champion.
Joe Napoli is a tireless humanitarian, a fearless attorney, an athletic champion and a 2025 inductee of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
Mike Pantalione
Soccer
One of the most successful coaches in college soccer history, Mike Pantalione built a dynasty defined by excellence, consistency, and class. Over the course of his storied career, his teams captured an astounding 78 conference, region, district, and national championships, including seven national titles.
The only men’s intercollegiate soccer coach in history to average over 20 wins per season, Pantalione compiled an extraordinary career record of 636–63–30, earning the highest all-time winning percentage (.893) across all levels of the sport. His coaching achievements have been recognized with more than 20 national honors, cementing his place among the game’s elite.
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and alumnus of the University of Montana, Pantalione’s influence extends far beyond the scoreboard. His leadership, mentorship, and integrity have shaped the lives of hundreds of players, inspiring pride, purpose, and excellence both on and off the field.
As the first soccer coach inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, Mike Pantalione stands as a model of lifelong dedication and impact on athletes.
Hulk Hogan
Wrestling
Hulk Hogan was born Terry Gene Bollea in Augusta Georgia in 1953. Discovered in 1979 by WWE founder Vince McMahon Sr., Hulk Hogan became one of the most recognizable figures in sports entertainment history. Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing over 300 pounds, his power, charisma, and unmistakable blonde mustache and bandana made him a global icon. In 1984, Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, igniting the worldwide phenomenon known as “Hulkamania.” He went on to defeat Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III, famously lifting the 500-pound superstar in what became known as the “slam heard ’round the world.”
A 12-time world champion — six with WWE and six with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) — Hogan helped propel professional wrestling into mainstream entertainment. In 1996, he rebranded as “Hollywood Hulk Hogan” and led the New World Order (nWo), revolutionizing the industry once again and drawing a new generation of fans. Beyond the ring, Hogan became a pop culture phenomenon, appearing in films such as Rocky III and No Holds Barred, as well as television hits including The A-Team, Baywatch, and his own reality show, Hogan Knows Best.
Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, Hogan’s career spanned five decades, blending athleticism, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. From championship glory to starring roles and business ventures, including his Real American Beer brand launched in 2024, Hulk Hogan’s legacy endures as one of the most powerful and influential in the history of sports entertainment. We are honored to have Hulk Hogan as a 2025 inductee of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
