As George Harrison sang in 1970, “All Things Must Pass” and so does my time as President of the Italian American Baseball Foundation.
What started more than 10 years ago as an idea between two friends quickly developed into a reality and before we knew it, the IABF became something bigger and more successful than either of us could have imagined. We knew we were underdogs from the start. We knew that having “Italian” in our title might limit our chances of success. But our dedication to our heritage and our love for the game of baseball were stronger than the doubts of others.
For the past 10 years, I have dedicated my life to the IABF. I leave knowing the Foundation is a financially strong and prosperous 501(c)(3) charity. Most importantly, I leave knowing we have fulfilled our mission—awarding college scholarships and helping develop the game of baseball for Italian youth through our clinics in Italy.
Today, I proudly pass the torch to the next President of the Italian American Baseball Foundation. I know they will lead the IABF with the same dedication and passion, and will continue the mission we set forth on day one.
I would like to thank the IABF Executive Board for making my job easier—or perhaps I should say, easier than it could have been. Natalie, Carmine, Joe, Dom and Chris: without your commitment and dedication, the IABF would not be what it is today.
Most importantly, I want to thank everyone who supported the IABF in any way. You are the true backbone and heartbeat of this Foundation.
In closing, the Italian American Baseball Foundation will always hold a special place in my heart. I look forward to watching it continue to grow and prosper, and I am confident the next 10 years will be even better than the first.
IABF per sempre
