Press Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24, 2013

National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame Announces Induction Class of 2013 Chicago, IL (Sept. 24, 2013) The Induction Committee of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (NIASHF) announced today the inductees for the Class of 2013. This years class includes: former Chicago Blackhawk Eddie Olczyk, who played 17 seasons in the NHL, accumulated almost 800 points, and was elected to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012; Johnny Antonelli, five-time National League All-Star and the National League Pitcher of the Year in 1954 (played with the Milwaukee Braves, San Francisco Giants, and Cleveland Indians during his career); Hank Lauricella, starting halfback for the 1950 & 1951 University of Tennessee National Championship squads, and 1981 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee; Larry Lucchino, current President and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, and only man with three World Series Rings, a Super Bowl Ring, and a Final Four Watch; Steve Palermo, former American League Umpire, and the recipient of the 1994 Arthur Ashe Courage Award; and the late, Constatine Cus DAmato, boxing manager and trainer of boxing greats Mike Tyson, Floyd Patterson, Jos Torres, and Vinnie Ferguson. This years induction ceremony marks the organizations 36th Anniversary and will take place on November 2, 2013 at a dinner dance that celebrates the organizations traditions and culture. It will be held at Victoria Beau Jolie in Schiller Park, Illinois. Tickets are available and can be purchased by calling the organization at 312-226-5566.

The NIASHF annually inducts Italian American athletes that have not only succeeded in sport, but in life. These world-class athletes represent the NIASHF ideals and its values of Family, Friends, Faith, and Community.

The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving honorable values through sport. Founded in 1977 by George Randazzo, the Hall of Fame will have 247 inductees including the class of 2013. The organization was founded on the values of Family, Friends, Faith, and Community and has been committed to providing support to students and youth of all backgrounds through its scholarship, Second Wind, and A Level Playing Field programs. The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame is located in Chicagos famed Little Italy neighborhood, at 1431 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607. For more information on the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, including the full list of inductees and ways in which you can support it, please visit www.niashf.org. ###