MORE THAN LETTER FROM THE CHAIR JUST A UNION! The Toronto Azzurri Soccer Wall of Fame When the new Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club was conceived and our vision to build a Soccer Center of Excellence was approved in 1999, we could not have understood then how important the project would become. After numerous years of great memories from the love and passionate sacrifice given by so many, it is with great honour and pride that tonight we launch The Toronto Azzurri Soccer Wall of Fame. As efforts continue to develop aspiring Canadian soccer youth, the Toronto Azzurri Youth Sport Village through its programming, will do its part to pass on our knowledge and experience to those we touch in our community. However, unless we educate the new arrivals about the stories of our heroes, and what it took for our pioneers and builders to lay the game’s foundations in our great city, we cannot complete their sport education. On behalf of all the people who lit the torch, who persevered, led only by their hearts and passions, to those who dared to risk and fail, and finally to The LiUNA Families are proud to be part those who inspired us to be the best that we could be, I can offer only my sincere and eternal thanks. of the Toronto Azzurri Soccer Clu b and Tonight’s first twelve honourees are just the beginning. There are so many who deserve to be recognized. This ceremony will occur annually so please help by assisting us to select those who deserve our appreciation. the Azzurri LiUNA Club house. I ask you to join us in support of a project that celebrates our Community heroes! Congratulations to the Inductees into the Thank you and have a wonderful evening. Toronto Azzurri Soccer Wall of Fame. Robert Iarusci, Chairman Toronto Azzurri Soccer Club 2 Est. 1968 TORONTO AZZURRI WALL OF FAME 3 1950s 1. Fred Hamilton Park 1960s 12 11 2. Stanely Park 5 3. Varsity Stadium 4. Earlscourt Park 9 4 5. Keelesdale Park 3 1970s 6 6. Brockton Stadium 10 7. Exhibition Stadium 1 2 8. Lamport Stadium 8 9. York Stadium 7 1980s 10. Centennial Stadium 11. Esther Shiner Stadium ICONIC PLAYING FIELDS 12. W.L. McKenzie C.I. 4 TORONTO AZZURRI WALL OF FAME 5 TORONTO AZZURRI S.C. BOARD MEMBERS Tony Garci Orazio DeCientis President Social Director Robert Iarusci Vince Iarusci Chariman Marketing/IT Director Ralph Ciccia Pasquale Pietrantonio Vice President Director at Large Tony Cipriani Frank Iaizzo Congratulations from TFC Treasurer Director at Large Fortunato Ferbrano We would like to congratulate all inductees into the inaugural Secretary Toronto Azzurri Soccer “Wall of Fame”. Thank you for your outstanding dedication and positive impact to the game of soccer in the Italo-Canadian community. Steven Caldwell Bill Manning Director of Community Relations President, TFC 6 TORONTO AZZURRI WALL OF FAME 7 SAM CICCOLINI BUILDERS/PIONEERS Co-Founder of the Westwood Young Generation Soccer Club in 1968. The senior team was called Toronto Azzurri and played in the Premier Division of the T&D. The club became the farm club of Toronto Italia. The Ciccolini Family immigrated to Canada in 1956 from the Club went on to showcase arguably the strongest crop of Pescosolido, Frosinone. Italy. In two years, Sam became local soccer talent Canada has ever produced: Players like CONGRATULATIONS a proud Canadian and together with Donna began to lay Marcantonio, D’Agostino, Iarusci, Barbieri, Morandini, Raso, down the foundation for what has become an incredible Ceolin, DeCiantis and so much more. resumé of selfless contribution to charity, benevolence and TO ALL INDUCTEES ON BEHALF OF While Aldo continued to steer the soccer side, Sam went countless hours of service towards so many community on to drive Minor Hockey. He started with the Etobicoke causes, groundbreaking projects and of course, the local Canucks and Rangers through the ‘70’s, then started up sports landscape. MASTERS INSURANCE LIMITED the Woodbridge Minor Hockey including the amalgamation Sam has always had an enormous love for soccer and of Maple and Thornhill from 1981-1991. Sam carried on to hockey. Much of his free time early in his formative Canadian become the Secretary-Treasurer of the Ontario Hockey years was dedicated to developing and strengthening the Federation from 1987-1995. young athletic character and building respect as young Italo- Sam has been recognized for his countless hours of COMMERCIAL SURETY BONDING HOME & AUTO GROUP & PERSONAL BENEFITS Canadian citizens. Sam soon discovered that there were community service for so many organizations; too many to obstacles to overcome within the established hockey and list here. However, it should be noted that Sam was awarded soccer clubs. Many young Italo-Canadian boys were not The Order of Canada (2005) and The Order of Ontario (1999) readily received by these organizations. 1.888.673.6495 as well as The Commander of the Star of Solidarity of Italy in It was fate that brought Sam and Aldo Principe together. 2008, and the Jubilee Medal Award from the Gov’t of Canada. Aldo managed The County Savings Bank and Loans, and Sam remains quite active today within the Community through Sam’s new Insurance company was situated on the second his involvement in politics, amateur sports and co-chairing floor of that building at the corner of St. Clair Ave. West and and organizing many groups and events. Sam is very proud Boon Ave. Along with Joe Vaccari, Nino Sinicropi, Carmen of his Italian heritage and his Canadian Citizenship. TORONTO ♦ HAMILTON ♦ OTTAWA ♦ WINDSOR ♦ ROCHESTER, NY and Bruno DeNino, Sam and Aldo created The Westwood Young Generation Soccer and Hockey Club. Their home was at 15 Robina Ave., the YMCA. Over the next 15 years, 8 TORONTO AZZURRI WALL OF FAME 9 JOHNNY LOMBARDI BUILDERS/PIONEERS One of the founders of Eastern Canadian Pro Soccer League launched in 1961. This league featured some great stars such as Sir Stanley Matthews, Danny Blanchflower, Carlos Medetieri and drew large crowds at Varsity Stadium. In 1960, Johnny Lombardi, the noted businessman, grocer The highlight was a challenge between Toronto Italia and promoter of everything Italo-Canadian in the city of President Johnny Lombardi and Toronto Roma’s president Toronto, teamed up with Toronto Telegram columnist George Ted Laraia. Just days before the two city rivals were to meet Gross, Macedonian grocer Steve Stavros, and Hockey Night in the deciding game of 1963, Lombardi and Laraia agreed in Canada host Ed Firkin, to deliver a top brand of soccer to that the losing president of that challenge match would have Toronto. to walk up and down College Street the very next day in their underwear with a placard slung around their neck praising Johnny Lombardi became the owner/president of Toronto the opponent. Italia, and along with Toronto Roma, Toronto City, Montreal Cantalia and Hamilton Steelers formed the Eastern Canadian The ECPSL over the eight years of its existence created the Professional Soccer League (ECPSL). The league debuted at soccer buzz that stimulated the growth and development of Varsity Stadium in the spring of 1961. Johnny Lombardi’s Italia minor soccer clubs like Westwood Young Generation and the defeated Toronto City 3-2 in front of 18,000 people. Lombardi, Downsview Soccer Club that would produce a strong crop of was a cagey promoter and understood how to corral this prospective talent into the 1970’s. new pulse. Together with his pals Sam Schneiderman (Sam the Record Man) and Toronto Maple Leafs Director Harold Ballard, they created heated rivalries between the teams that this city has never seen since. 10 TORONTO AZZURRI WALL OF FAME 11 GINO VENTRESCA BUILDERS/PIONEERS Legendary President of Toronto Italia Soccer Club (1969-1976). Won two Canadian Club Championships. Four NSL League titles. Developed 15 players that represented Canada internationally. Gino Ventresca was born in Torre dei Nolfi (L’Aquila) Italy Ventresca’s Toronto Italia Teams in the early 70’s were top on October 06, 1925. Immigrating to Canada in 1949, he of mind in the local sports scene. York Stadium provided quickly established himself as a leader in the Italo-Canadian the backdrop for large average crowds (7,000), and these community. His passion for life was reflected in his business, teams featured seasoned veterans and a steady supply of as the founder of Ventresca Travel Agency Ltd., where he home-grown talent. Some of these players included Robert pioneered group travel to Mexico and became affectionately Iarusci, Carmine Marcantonio, Paul D’Agostino, Jack Brand known as Mr. Acapulco. and Carmello Barbieri. His love for the game of soccer manifested itself in the early The highlight of Ventresca’s Toronto Italia S.C. adventure 1960’s and again in the early 1970’s when as president of the was back to back Canadian Professional Club Champions Toronto Italia Soccer Club he brought the game to high levels (1974-1975). Gino was very well respected and exuded a high CITY 1940 Albion Rd. by combing the best of local talent with players of international level of credibility amongst the players, coaches, and fans. renown such as Jose Altafini and Paolo Cimpiel. He brought Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 5T2 Gino passed away in 2011 but rest assured he’s still chanting ENVIRONMENTAL the Italian National Military team twice which featured players FORZA ITALIA. from Serie A such as Franco Causio, Vincenzo D’Amico, and Tel: 416.679.2489 (CITY) SERVICES LTD. Roberto Pruzzo. Toll Free: 888.520.2489 (CITY) Fax: 416.679.2490 www.cityenvironmental.ca Ray Lecce Cell: 416.881.0723 12 TORONTO AZZURRI WALL OF FAME 13 CARLO DELMONTE COACHES/MANAGERS One of the most winningest coaches in the GTA over the last 60 years.