The San Francisco Italian Athletic Club (SFIAC), a 1,000-member organization founded in 1917, hosted a Nov. 20 banquet at its historic North Beach club to induct Cav. Basil M. Russo as a Honoris Causa Member, recognizing his “unwavering leadership and tireless efforts to unite and strengthen the Italian American community nationwide.”
Russo is the National President of Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) and leads the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO). The award was presented by SFIAC President Manuele La Torre, who praised Russo for launching pioneering programs that preserve and perpetuate Italian American heritage.
