Stadium to carry ex-coach’s name

A local philanthropist donated $50,000 to honor his longtime friend.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

AUSTINTOWN — It’s the house that Richard L. Copolla built.

And thanks to a little help from a longtime friend, the Austintown Fitch High School baseball stadium will be named in honor of Copolla, who coached the baseball team for 37 years.

During his time as coach, Copolla helped build the stadium’s dugouts. He also compiled a 453-198 record with his teams winning 13 Steel Valley Conference championships, 11 district titles, four regional titles, and four of his teams making it to the state semifinals.

The Austintown Board of Education approved a proposal Wednesday to name the stadium for the former coach, who retired in 1996.

“How can it be any better than this?” asked Copolla. “It’s the greatest. To have this honor bestowed, it doesn’t get any better.”

To honor Copolla, a friend for 50 years, Tony Lariccia of Boardman, a local philanthropist and businessman, donated $50,000 to the Falcon Forward Campaign, a newly formed group raising money for the school district’s athletic fields.

Copolla and Lariccia met in 1957 while playing for opposing Struthers Little League teams. Copolla’s team went undefeated that season while Lariccia’s team won one game. The two have been friends ever since.

“I felt he deserved this,” Lariccia said of the stadium naming. “He’s a legend here.”

About the campaign fund

School and Falcon Forward Campaign officials said they were overwhelmed by Lariccia’s generosity and were pleased to honor his request that the stadium be named for his friend.

The campaign wants to raise $700,000 to make improvements to the school district’s athletic facilities, particularly Falcon Stadium, said Tom Mock, the group’s vice president. The campaign already has reached about 40 percent to 50 percent of its goal, Mock said.

Falcon Stadium is used by the school’s football and track teams but also is used for other activities such as regional football tournament games and track events, Senior Olympics, Special Olympics and the Relay for Life.

“We want to make Falcon Stadium an elite athletic facility in Ohio,” Mock said. “It will enhance the quality of life for not only Austintown, but the area.”

Among the campaign’s goals are improvements to the stadium’s concession stands, lighting, locker rooms, restrooms and press box.

Contributions can be mailed to: Falcon Forward Campaign, 5060 Argonne Drive, Austintown 44515.

Lariccia has donated millions of dollars over the years to various worthwhile projects.

Why?

“I like the people in the Mahoning Valley, and I understand how great they are,” he said. “I want that greatness to be recognized. Happiness begins where selfishness ends.”

With this honor, Lariccia put a huge smile on Copolla’s face — a smile matched only by the philanthropist upon seeing his friend’s happiness.

skolnick@vindy.com