The Italian American Heritage Society of Long Island proudly announces that legendary basketball coach Rick Pitino will be honored as the inaugural recipient of the Francis B. Spinola Award, a distinction created to recognize Long Island natives of Italian descent who have made a lasting impact on American culture while exemplifying leadership, vision, and service.
The award is named in honor of Francis B. Spinola (1821–1891), the first Italian American elected to the United States Congress in 1887, who was born in Old Field, Suffolk County, Long Island. The award will be featured on February 9 during a special Italian Heritage Game between St. John’s University and Xavier University at Madison Square Garden.
