Dear Members

The next meeting is Wednesday February 13th 2008 at 700 PM at Lunetta’s Restaurant. The Address is 1274 Hertel Ave. Buffalo NY. 14216-2708. This is on the north side of Hertel Ave one block west of Colvin. The phone number is (716) 8873-7230
Members present at January’s meeting

John Rovnak, Jack Green, John Tedesco, Jim Brown, Bo Bilicki, Dick Wipperman, Joe Cardina, Jim Len, John McCarthy, Mike McCarthy, Jerry Collins, Mark Irwin, Paul Wielopolski, Stan Fitzgerald, Jim Messina

It is most distressing to relay to you news of the recent demise of John Dulinawka and John Tedesco. Mr. Dulinawka passed on Jan 28th 2008 and John Tedesco, on Feb.3rd 2008.As most of you know; both of these gentlemen were outstanding athletes in their youth and powerful team members and great leaders in Ring 44.John and John were active leaders in their communities through their membership in various civic organizations and both excelled in our sport of boxing. Both Johns also opened up their homes and families to Ring 44 and their loved ones have also bonded with us. We are privileged to have these men and their families participate in and represent Ring 44 and the boxing community. We open our hearts and extend our prayers for both families as well as for those of us who are struggling with our health issues.

We are going to limit the membership to submit your nominations for our Hall of Fame selections no later than the second Wednesday of March which will be our meeting date. Remember we are talking about outstanding boxers or contributors to boxing (i.e. trainers managers sports writers etc.) with Western NY ties. We are also open for a nominee for Person of the year. This would be a member of Ring 44 or the boxing community locally who may not have the credentials to qualify him for a post in our Hall of Fame but who has performed immense and extraordinary service for the boxing community. Unlike our Hall of Fame requirement, this person does not have to be retired or removed from his or her field of expertise. Also remember that the more information that you can provide for your nominee in the form of a Bio or statistics the better your chances for your candidates consideration. So far the following names have been submitted and we are waiting on their bios. I may have missed a name here or their so please remind me or Jim Brown. Some were not submitted in writing but by word of mouth with the assurance that their bios would be forthcoming.

Mike Scanlon, Don Nelson, Lee Ohma, Dodo Parisi, Rocky Cudney Dick Loadman, John (Babe) Chermera, Roy Gill, Spats Simpson, Marshall Miles.

Nominees for Person of the year so far are Don Patterson and Bo Bilicki

The selection process will be as follows. The submitted nominees will be collected and will be reviewed be the nominations committee. The names will be narrowed down to any amount between fourteen or less but more than six. They will be presented at the April meeting and the paid members will vote in the final six selected to go into the Hall of Fame. The person of the year will also be selected that night. This process was approved by the membership at the January meeting and through previous meetings with the officers.

The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame is maintaining open dialog with Ring 44 and wants potential nominees from us to represent the boxing community in their 2008 induction Awards Dinner. As you know last year they honored The Muscato Family and Rocky Kansas. As I previously mentioned, this is another achievement that you the membership of Ring 44 has accomplished. Thanks to the leadership of fellow members Angelo Prospero, Dan and Louie Muscato John McCarthy Dennis DiPaolo Bob Caico and your efforts we have become a respected source of information for them.

I also spoke with Dennis DiPaolo on reserving a Sunday in April for a Ring 44 Sunday Brunch. He assured me that we can do it. So plan on it and we will give you the particulars soon. This is another excellent opportunity for us to socialize and spend some quality time together.

As expected Jimmy Ralston’s boxing show on Feb 2nd at the Leonard Post was a smashing success. It was a packed house (standing room only) and a tremendously exciting night. The card was highly competitive and kept everyone on their feet. The Buffalo News actually printed the results of the show in the paper. Boxing is starting to get increased coverage in the local media.

I am including a flyer on Terry Williams’s upcoming Boxing show on February 16th at the FLARE Center at 307 Leroy Avenue I again am looking forward to seeing you there and I am excited to be doing the ring announcing. As most of you know, Terry also works very hard to bring you top notch entertainment. I even understand that the Cleveland team who is participating has member who made the Olympic team scheduled to compete.

Don Patterson and DIAAB Boxing are again hosting the WNY Regional Golden Glove Tournament on March 20th and March 27th 2008. This program already shows that it will be bigger and better than ever. To stay attuned to the particulars as they come out you can go to www.diaab.com or for information on sponsoring and other specifics call (716) 400-9697. Also I will include the poster with the specifics in next month’s newsletter.

Bob Winkler, who as many of you know, is one of our valued out of town members who includes us on his website has edited a book which is in the process of being released. It is titled “Gloves” The stories of Vermont’s greatest Boxers Trainers and Personalities. Edited by Robert Winkler, The University of Vermont. We are getting a copy from Bob and even though he is a modest guy I asked him to autograph it for us.

Don’t forget to check www.ring44.com for latest info. And as always “Keep Punchin”
Jack Green President