[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Louisiana American Italian Sports Hall of Fame was formed to recognize the American Italians of Louisiana who, for generations, have participated and excelled in sports. Each year an annual induction gala honors one national sports figure and inducts outstanding Louisiana athletes, both past and present, into the Hall of Fame. Proceeds benefit the American Italian Cultural Center, and scholarships for college-bound high school seniors excelling in academics and athletics.
The AIRF awards scholarships annually to deserving seniors in high school. The scholarships are presented each year at the Louisiana American Italian Sports Hall of Fame Gala. The recipient must be of Italian heritage, have participated in sports at the high school level and will attend college in the fall. The 2021 Scholarship application will be available in the Fall.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1508877920029{padding-top: 3px !important;padding-right: 3px !important;padding-bottom: 3px !important;padding-left: 3px !important;}”][vc_column_text]
Louisiana American Italian Sports Hall of Fame
Inductees & Award Winners
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2020
National Honoree: Johnny Giavotella
Local Inductees: Frank Scelfo, Paul Stanton Jr., Ray Culotta
Paul Arrigo, Civic Award
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Louis Prima Arts & Entertainment Award
Eric Asher, Buddy “D” Media Award
Captain Vincent Liberto (posthumous), Veteran Award
Dr. Brett Cascio, Dr. John Adriani Medical Award
Louis Tallarini, Joseph Maselli Heritage Award
Honorary Chairperson: Sam Scelfo
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Past Honorees
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2018
Franco Harris
Anthony Chimento, Lou Carboni & Louis Cascio
Robert Bruno, Civic Award
Bobby Rydell, Arts & Entertainment Award
Matt Moscona, Media Award
Salvador Anselmo, Veteran Award
Dr. Frank Culicchia, Medical Award
Mary Perrin, Louisiana American Italian Woman of the Year
George Randazzo, Joseph Maselli Heritage Award
2017
Alexander Rossi
Charles Bordes, Linda Prattini, & Frank Tritico
Chris Owens, Civic Award
Steve Tyrell, Arts & Entertainment Award
Dominic Massa, Media Award
Sal Serio, Veteran Award
Dr. Michael Adinolfi, Medical Award
Elizabeth Parent, Louisiana American Italian Woman of the Year
Lawrence E. Auriana Joseph Maselli Heritage Award
2016
Ed Marinaro
Phil Greco
Duane Reboul
Tony Lorino, Civic Award
Tony Lo Bianco, Arts & Entertainment Award
Jerry Vaillancourt, Media Award
Herbert P. Montalbano, Veteran Award
Dr. William LaCorte, Medical Award
Dr. Maria Falco, Louisiana American Italian Woman of
the Year
2015
Vince Ferragamo
Tony Papa
Anthony Scelfo
Hillar Moore, D.A., Civic Award
Robert Davi, Arts & Entertainment Award
Gary Rispone, Media Award
Colonel Ignatius P. Liberto, Veteran Award
Dr. Vincent Liberto, Medical Award
Bette Cadwell, Louisiana American Italian Woman of
the Year
2014
Daryle Lamonica
Andy Cannizaro
Paul E. Bertuccini
Hon. John F. Young, Civic Award
Joe Piscopo, Arts & Entertainment Award
Gordy Rush, Media Award
Fernand Paul Muffoletto, CW-2, Veteran Award
Dr. Joseph Serio, Medical Award
Janet Scaruffi, Louisiana American Italian Woman of
the Year
2013
Alicia Sacramone
Les Bonano
Mike Trapani
Wayne J. Nocito, Civic Award
Lena Prima, Arts & Entertainment Award
Mario Muro, Media Award
Sergeant Major Bryan Battaglia, Veteran Award
Dr. Frank Incaprera, Medical Award
Jennifer Van Vrancken, Louisiana American Italian
Woman of the Year
2012
Joe Alleva
Les Bonano
Lou Cordileone
Robert “Bobby” Yarborough, Civic Award
Deana Martin, Arts & Entertainment Award
Don Dubuc, Media Award
Specialist Ryan Grefazzi, Veteran Award
Dr. Jack Castrogiovanni, Medical Award
Louana Brocato DeMatteo, Louisiana American Italian
Woman of the Year
2011
Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini
David Dellucci
Frank Massa
Salvatore Panzeca, Civic Award
Louis Prima, Jr., Arts & Entertainment Award
Joe Macaluso, Media Award
Dr. Marc Bernstein, Medical Award
Master Sergeant Jon Cammarata, Veteran Award
Betty Lauricella, Louisiana American Italian Woman of
the Year
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2010
Dr. Nick Accardo, Jr.
Coach Charles Baglio
Sheriff Newell Normand, Civic Award
Nancy Ross Assaf, Arts & Entertainment Award
Deke Bellavia, Media Award
Maj. Gen. John Basilica, Jr., Veteran Award
Jana Napoli, Louisiana American Italian Woman of the
Year
2009
Paul Mainieri
Dr. Neal Comarda
Dr. Joseph Licciardi, Jr.
Rep. Steve Scalise, Civic Award
Pete Fountain, Arts & Entertainment Award
Todd Graffagnini, Media Award
Lt. Col. Cris Mandry, Veteran Award
Dr. Anna Pou, Louisiana American Italian Woman of
the Year
2008
Paul Dietzel
Barry Hebert
Carl Rabito
Fred Sawyers, Civic Award
Ronnie Kole, Arts & Entertainment Award
Tom Fitzmorris, Media Award
Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, Humanitarian Award
Corp. Tony Cammarata & Col. Frank Ricapito,
Veteran Award
Jan Maselli Mann, Louisiana American Italian Woman
of the Year
2007
Ken Joseph Aspromonte
Tommy Calandro
Mike Cammarata
Dr. Jack A. Andonie, Civic Award
Cosimo Matassa, Arts & Entertainment Award
Garland Robinette, Media Award
Frank J. Misuraca, Veteran Award
2006
Gino Marino
Bobby Freeman
Nick Simonette, Civic Award
S.J. Montalbano, Arts & Entertainment Award
Smiley Anders, Media Award
Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore, Veteran Award
2005
Coach Raymond Blanco
Anthony “Reggie” Reginelli, Jr.
Milton J. Retif
Patrick F. Taylor, Civic Award
Ron Brocato, Media Award
Blaine Kern, Arts & Entertainment Award
Major William G. Mason, Veteran Award
2004
Bobby Herbert
Randolph “Randy” Bordlee
Chris Scelfo
Dr. Donald Palmisano, Civic Award
Raymond Arroya, Media Award
Louis Prima (Posthumously), Arts & Entertainment
Award
2003
Vince Ferragamo
John Campora
Vince Manalla
Jodee Pulizzano
Ray Brandt, Civic Award
Peggy Scott Laborde, Media Award
Sam Butera, Arts & Entertainment Award
2002
Rick Cerone
Ron Guidry
Dr. Nick J. Accardo, Sr.
Frank J. Cicero, Sr.
Louis James Giambelluca
Sam Paul Scelfo, Sr.
Lena Randazzo Torres, Civic Award
Peter Finney, Media Award
Franco Alessandrini, Arts & Entertainment Award
Hon. Lindy Boggs, Special Recognition
2001
Jerry Colangelo
Salvadore A. Bordlee
Honorable Frank J. Polozola
Sandra May Zulli
Ronnie Michael Lamarque, Civic Award
Bob Del Giorno, Media Award
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2000
Joseph “Jay” Ditta
Anthony “Joe” Galliano
Edwin Charles “Chuck” Dorvin, Outstanding Youth
Coach
Sheriffs Charles C. Foti, Jr., & Harry Lee, Civic Award
Buddy Diliberto, Media Award
1999
Sam Bella
Frank Monica
John G. Amato, Civic Award
David L. Lagarde, Media Award
M.H. Phillips, Outstanding Youth Coach
1998
Dominic Alfred ‘Mickey’ LaNasa
Charles Anthony ‘Chuck’ Melito, Jr.
Jay Stanley ‘Skip’ Bertman
Dr. Norman C. Francis, Civic Award
Nell Nolan Young, Media Award
1997
Barry Butera
Martin Coscino
Rose Misuraca Scott
Will Clark, Jr.
Commodore Thomas J. Lupo, Civic Award
1996
Manuel Colletti
Buddy Diliberto
Pete Giarrusso
Sal Bando
Ronald Foreman, Civic Award
1995
Joe Torre
Nickie Cammarata
Frank Misuraca
Anthony Reginelli
Vincent Verderame, O.M.I.
Robert Roesler, Civic Award
1994
Ignazio Albergamo
John D’Antonio
Jerry Pellegrini
Keith Graffagnini, Jr.
William McCrossen, Civic Award
1993
Elmo Adolph
Stacey Gaudet Berry
Joseph Yenni
Gino Cappelletti
Joseph Canizaro, Civic Award
1992
Warren Capone
Keith Graffagnini
August Lapara
Vincent Rizzo
Samuel Trombatore
Lou Duva
1991
Vincent Caruso
Harold Cervini
Tyler Lafauci
Joseph Martina
Jake LaMotta
1990
Vincent D’Antonio
Michael Cusimano
Rich Mauti
Pal Morgan
Bobby Valentine
1989
Mike Calamari
Tom D’Angelo
Dom Fazzio
Sammy Grezaffi
Ronnie Lamarque
Louis Roussel III
1988
Johnny Alberto
Tony Canzoneri
Joe Gemelli
Pete Gulotta Herman
Willie Pastrano
Willie Mosconi
1987
Charles Cusimano
Ronald Maestri
Louis Messina
Anthony Sardisco
Andelo Dundee
1986
Henry ‘Zeke’ Bonura
Francis ‘Hank’ Lauricella
James LaCava Perrin
Tommy Lasorda
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