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Narduzzi recalls hometown memories
By Greg Gulas
BOARDMAN
For Pat Narduzzi, returning to the Mahoning Valley is a very special time whether he’s on a recruiting mission or just visiting friends.
On Sunday at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center, Michigan State’s defensive coordinator served as guest speaker for the Curbstone Coaches’ 47th Hall of Fame induction ceremony. More than 500 friends welcomed him back home.
The son of former Youngstown State University head football coach Bill Narduzzi, he recalled fond memories that were made while growing up on the city’s North side.
“I was born in New Haven, Conn., when my father coached at Yale and we moved around a lot, as coaching families often do,” Narduzzi said. “As far as I was concerned, however, I grew up in Youngstown and am proud to say that this is my hometown.
“To now be added to that long list of guest speakers which includes Jim Tressel, Bob Davie, Bob Stoops and my current boss, Mark Dantonio, is truly humbling.”
The former national defensive coordinator of the year wasn’t alone in praising the area’s rich athletic tradition.
Inducted for her basketball exploits, Dorothy Bowers Collins is YSU’s all-time leading women’s scorer with 2,324 points and was one of three females honored in this year’s class.
“My coach was Ed DiGregorio and he saw something in me that other coaches failed to see,” Collins said. “He took a chance on a fellow East-sider and for that I have been forever grateful.”
Former Boardman Spartans swimming star Jackie Bak Yost noted that her coach, Terry O’Halloran, was the one to cultivate her interest and dedication.
“I’ve been blessed to have met so many great people along the way, but I must thank coach O’Halloran for he taught me to love the game,” she said.
Dan Birmingham, the 2004 and 2006 Boxing Writers Association “Trainer of the Year,” has trained WBO, WBA, WBC and IBF junior middleweight champion Ronald “Winky” Wright and super middleweight champion Jeff Lacey at his famed St. Pete Boxing Club in St. Petersburg, Fla.
He said he would never be where he is today without the help and guidance of local trainer Art Mayorga. “The six years that I spent with Art changed my life,” Birmingham said. Lowellville’s Dan Zarlingo is that rare athlete to be inducted for both basketball and football and a player who had both of his jerseys retired by the school.
His induction, according to the committee, was long overdue.
Other hall of fame inductees are Don Brunetti (football), Bud Frazier (track and field), Nick Gavolas (swimming/diving), Dan Guerrieri (bowling), Dennis Krancevich (baseball), Ron Lynn (football), Carol Pennington (bowling), Jim Pepperney (special award), Richard Skelton (bowling) and Robert Winterburn (football).