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When Chicago Wolves assistant coach Bob Nardella was growing up in Melrose Park, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame was located next door in Elmwood Park. His father, Robert, relished taking his son to the institution’s conventions hosted in Rosemont. “It was a big thing for my father,” Nardella said. “He took me all the time. There...

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It's not easy to take over the reins of NIAF at this time, with a pandemic that is still doing damage and casualties, and that has left major economic and social problems in the United States. Several programs of the National Italian American Foundation, as well as other national and local Italian American and non-Italian American organizations, ha...

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Little Guy Soccer founder Edward Merante has been inducted into the New York State West Youth Soccer Association’s Hall of Fame in recognition of his more than five decades of service to young people and youth soccer programs.   Based in Corning, NYSWYSA is affiliated with U.S. Youth Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation. The announcement...

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Young players and their parents may know Dom Scala for the instructional camps he has hosted for years to help hone skills and minds for baseball. Yankees fans from the 1970s and ’80s may remember his headshot in the team yearbook and the praise heaped on him by broadcaster Phil Rizzuto for his hard work as a bullpen catcher and coach. “Phil Rizzut...

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The Italian American Baseball Foundation and National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame have formed a partnership based on their collective interests in promoting and building Italian American heritage through sports. Both organizations have agreed to a partnership founded in education and community. The immediate goal will be to host youth base...

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Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you. Woo, woo, woo. What’s that you say, Mrs. Robinson? Joltin’ Joe has left and gone away. Hey, hey, hey.” Simon & Garfunkel sang those words more than half a century ago, and DiMaggio died in 1999. But the words have taken on a literal meaning again – as a statue of Joltin’ Joe...

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When discussing the life and swimming career of Matt Biondi, one could write almost endlessly about his accomplishments in the pool - but that would be selling short Matt Biondi, the man, and all that went into his successes in and out of the water. In the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympics, Biondi won a total of 11 medals (eight gold, two silver and one...

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The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame will offer a special salute to Tommy Lasorda at a virtual gala and induction ceremony on June 23. “Tommy Lasorda was one of the Hall’s biggest fans,” NIASHF President Ron Onesti says. “It’s only fitting to pay tribute to him.” Testimonials by Kirk Gibson, Steve Garvey, Orel Hershiser, Ron Cey, Mike...

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Baltimore Orioles first baseman / outfielder and Italian American Trey Mancini has been an inspiration. After battling cancer, he is back on the field in 2021 and will be honored by the Italian American Baseball Foundation as the Tommy Lasorda Award recipient at this year’s awards gala. “It is our honor and privilege to recognize Trey for his deter...

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Yogi Berra will soon be all over — your mail, that is. The New York Yankees great known for his funny malaprops will be featured on a new stamp this year, the U.S. Postal Service announced Friday, truly making him a man of letters. A 10-time World Series champion as a player and three-time AL MVP, Berra filled baseball’s record book along with “Bar...

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