Lariccia to give $100K to repair football stadium

The project is estimated to cost
the Niles school system $150,000 to $180,000.

By JORDAN COHEN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

NILES — As soon as Anthony Lariccia finished reading about desperately needed repairs for the Niles football stadium in Monday’s Vindicator, he telephoned schools Superintendent Rocco Adduci.

Lariccia, of Boardman, a Merrill Lynch vice president and community philanthropist, told the surprised superintendent that he will donate $100,000 to help cover the cost.

“This is like winning the lottery, but it’s more than that,” Adduci said. “I’m honored that he would have it in his heart to call us and want to help.”

The stadium will undergo repairs for its stairwells this spring at a cost that Adduci estimates at $150,000 to $180,000. An engineering study determined that the repairs are essential, and the superintendent previously said that he would have to make budget cuts in order to pay for the project.

Lariccia said he was moved not only because of the school’s needs, but because of his memories of the man for whom the stadium is named: Bo Rein.

“I used to watch Bo Rein when he played football and baseball for Niles. He was just terrific,” Lariccia said.

Rein died in a plane crash in 1980.

Adduci said a school committee is working on raising funds to cover the balance of repairs. “Because of this gift, it’s much more achievable to do what we have to do,” he said.

Niles isn’t the first school district to benefit from Lariccia’s largesse. The Boardman resident said he has given at least $100,000 to seven school districts and that his donations through the years have exceeded $11 million. He plans to keep contributing.

“We’re here for a little while, and tomorrow is promised to no one,” Lariccia said.