The Italian American Baseball Foundation (IABF) and Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF) of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA) fraternal organization have partnered on a scholarship matching program to recognize one student-athlete each year who meets the requirements in the classroom, on the field and in heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each year the IABF will pick a deserving college baseball or softball player who meets scholarship requirements and has Italian heritage. The SIF will match the amount. The student was recognized at the SIF gala in May 2022 and the IABF gala in December 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first recipient of this scholarship program is Francesco Bonvini, who plays baseball at Kingsborough Community College (CUNY) and hails from Parma, Italy. He was also an inaugural IABF scholarship recipient in 2021 and has excelled in his studies and performance on the diamond this season. \u201cWe could not think of a better story for our scholarship program,\u201d said IABF President\/Founder Joe Quagliano. \u201cFrancesco is from Italy and came to America to pursue his dream of playing baseball. We\u2019re happy IABF and OSDIA can help him on his journey. Thank you to OSDIA for being a partner and believing in our Italian American heritage and culture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In saluting the collaboration between the IABF and SIF, Comm. Joseph Sciame, president of the Sons of Italy Foundation, commented: \u201cWe were particularly proud to learn of the interest by the IABF to partner with the SIF in a joint scholarship for a worthy candidate. In an era of many challenges for higher education students all, it is a way of alleviating the financial burdens for a qualified candidate. Francesco Bonvini met all of the considerations and for that we are very proud and happy to partner with theIABF.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bonvini was named CUNY Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year. He was 3-0 with a 4.0 ERA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis means a lot to me that these Italian American organizations value me as a baseball player and student,\u201d said Bonvini. \u201cI will never forget what they are giving me, because it is the chance to chase my dream, and I won\u2019t waste it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
About IABF:<\/strong> The Italian American Baseball Foundation is a 501\u00a93 charity established in 2016 that is committed to developing and promoting youth baseball and softball in the United States and Italy by sponsoring clinics and camps supervised by MLB players, coaches and scouts. The goal is to harness an appreciation for Italian American culture and heritage through the game. IABF awards college baseball and softball scholarships to high school students that qualify, donates equipment to youth teams and individuals in need and advises on citizenship documentation for players in Italy and America. The IABF is committed to excellence in the classroom, on the field and in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n