Next Sunday, I am honored to speak at the Sons of Italy Columbus Day Dinner in Charleston. I grew up with an Italian father from McDowell County who always had great admiration for Italian-American athletes. No matter the team, he always liked Robustelli, Marchetti, DiMaggio, Berra, Crosetti, Rizzuto, Bellino, Cappaletti and others.

I can’t name or remember them all, but here are some Italian-American sports figures that I have seen in our state in my lifetime. Tom Aluise: Most in our city remember Tom as a longtime sports writer and sports editor for the Charleston Daily-Mail. He was also a good athlete, having played basketball and baseball at St. Joseph in Huntington. His family was recently honored at the Italian Festival in Huntington.