Honouring 60 Years of Excellence in Sports, Business, and Philanthropy
Our Legacy
Honoring Sportsmanship, Leadership & Community Since 1963
Founded in 1963, the Calgary Italian Sportsmen’s Dinner is dedicated to celebrating sportsmanship, leadership, and community impact. This event has grown into a pillar of support for young athletes, providing scholarships and funding community initiatives.
Our Mission
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Recognizing excellence in sports and leadership.
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Supporting young athletes through scholarships.
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Strengthening community connections with networking and philanthropy.
About the Dinner
Celebrating Italian Heritage & Supporting Future Champions Since 1963
Established in 1963, the Calgary Italian Sportsmen's Dinner Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating Italian culture and supporting the community. The annual dinner honours high school students of Italian descent who excel in athletics and academics, awarding scholarships to promote true sportsmanship. Over the years, the association has donated over $3,000,000 to local and national charities.
Active Directors
Leading with Dedication & Passion for Community
The association is led by a dedicated team of directors, including:
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President: Domenico Venturo
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Treasurer: Luigi Torriero
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Secretary: Alberto Romano
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Directors: Randal Blasetti, Louis Bontorin, Remo Cardone, Fabrizio Carinelli, Danny Dalla-Longa, Nick Lupi, Domenic Maucieri, Carlo Plava, Alberto Romano Jr., Serafino Scarpino, Sano Stante, Tony Scaffeo, Marco Carducci, Joe Amantea.
These individuals contribute their time and expertise to further the association's mission.
In Memoriam
We honour the memory of Garry Cioni, whose dedication and contributions have left a lasting impact on our community. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
Past Directors
Honoring Those Who Shaped Our Legacy
Their leadership and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the association's legacy.
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Vic Finot
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Victor Fornaro
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Tom Forzani
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Costanzo Gabriele
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Bill Gallelli
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Mario Grassi
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Don Luzzi
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Elia Martina
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Tony Mafrica
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Lino Massolin
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Gerry Maucieri
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Rodolfo Petrovito
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George Picco
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Lorne Prokopy
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Darryl Raymaker
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Alberto Romano Sr.
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Domenico Rossi
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Tony Sanguin
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John Sparma
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Leo Verdis
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Reg Volpi
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Frank Mafrica
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Michael Amantea
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Ralph Amantea
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Jim Barbaro
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John Bazzana
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Tony De Michele
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Carlo Duri
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Raymond Blasetti
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Joe Borelli
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Adrian Bussoli
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Luca Carloni
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John Casale
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Tony Spoletini
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Mario Cavaliere
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Gary Cioni
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Mario Colangeli
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Joe Commesoti
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Augostino De Paoli
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Joe De Paoli
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Lino De Paoli
Supported Charities
Giving Back to Strengthen
Our Community
The association has supported numerous charities, reflecting its commitment to community welfare. Beneficiaries include:
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Calgary Italian Cultural Centre
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Calgary Italian Schools
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Calgary International Film Festival
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Post-Secondary School Scholarships
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Calgary Catholic School Hockey Program
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Calgary Italian Folk Dancers
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Calgary Italian Choir (Calgary Crescendo)
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Heart & Stroke Foundation
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Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
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University of Calgary Swim Club
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St. Mary's University College Scholarship
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Mount Royal University Foundation
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Alberta Children's Hospital
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Calgary Booster Club
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Food for Friends
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Calgary Fire Fighters
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Ed Whalen Foundation
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University of Calgary Scholarships
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Junior High School Bursaries
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Handicapped Children's Funds
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Santa Maria Goretti Italian Language Program
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St. Francis High School Athletic Department
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Juventus Soccer League