We are saddened to inform you that George Randazzo, founder of National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame, passed away yesterday, July 28, 2019, at the age of 77.
The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame is a nonprofit institution created to admire and honor remarkable Italian-American athletes. In 1977, George Randazzo founded the Italian- American Boxing Hall of Fame. He did so to raise money for struggling members of the local Catholic youth. This idea had a chain reaction and eventually lead to an institution that is recognized and appreciated by so many Italian-Americans today.
George Randazzo organized a fundraising dinner to honor Italian-American boxers including the well known Rocky Graziano, Jake LaMotta, Rocky Marciano, and Primo Carnera. One year later, he founded the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame. In 1988 the Hall of Fame moved its headquarters from Elmwood Park, Illinois to Arlington Heights. In 1998, Randazzo asked Jerry Colangelo, a 1994 Inductee from Chicago Heights, to serve as Chairman of the new Hall of Fame building project in Chicago’s Little Italy. He accepted the offer and helped unite individuals to support the organization.
Every year, the NIASHF honors a group of exceptional Italian-American athletes. Over the years, Randazzo has awarded over 7 million dollars in scholarships to various individuals in need. He truly has impacted Italian-American history in astonishing ways and will always be remembered.
Please keep George’s friends and family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
For more information, visit: http://www.niashf.org/about/history/
