Tag Archives: Wayne Randazzo

The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame celebrated its 45th annual gala on Nov. 15 at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village. More than 700 attendees witnessed the induction of NBA star Chris Corchiani, ESPN national correspondent Sal Paolantonio, NFL pioneer Bruno Banducci, wrestling great Lou Albano, baseball pioneer Philomena Gianfrancisco and boxing referee Johnny LoBianco. NBA legend and television personality Mike Fratello received the Mario Andretti Lifetime Achievement Award, Teamster official Joe Martucci was the Sportsman of the Year and Roberto Clemente High School baseball coach Richard Tomoleoni was a regional inductee. Paralympic champion and past NIASHF inductee Linda …

Celebrating 41 years of Italian Americans in sports, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame hosted its annual star-studded Induction and awards gala on Nov. 3 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. With 700 guests on hand, the NIASHF welcomed the all-star class of 2018, which included Rocco B. Commisso, owner and chairman of the New York Cosmos; Gina Carano, Muay Thai champion and MMA contender; Gene Pingatore, head coach of St. Joseph’s High School boys basketball team; and Joe Girardi, Major League Baseball All-Star and World Series champion player and manager. Sharing the stage with this year’s inductees, Perry …

Four decades after realizing his dream of starting a hall of fame to honor sports heroes, George Randazzo, President and Founder of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, celebrated the organization’s 40th Annual Induction & Awards Gala along with Board Chairman Tony Ferraro, NIASHF directors and loyal supporters this past November in Chicago. Vincent Viola was named 2017 Sportsman of the Year for his outstanding contributions to the world of sports. He is owner of the Florida Panthers hockey team and co-owner of Always Dreaming, winner of the 2017 Kentucky Derby, the first leg of horse racing’s prestigious …