More accolades for Scaringi
Vito Scaringi spent 15 years of his 25-year career with the Niagara Falls parks and recreation department scheduling the city’s athletic facilities for community groups.
He dealt with the Niagara Falls Minor Hockey Association and the Greater Niagara Baseball Association in that capacity until he was moved to another job within that department.
It would be the beginning of a more than 20-year association with the executives of both groups that would land Scaringi on the Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame last Sunday as a builder of baseball and hockey in the city.
“I couldn’t join those organizations at first because it was a conflict of interest,” the 72-year-old Niagara Falls native said. “Minor hockey came calling first and three years later it was baseball and I have been doing it ever since.”
He is in his 25th year of service to minor hockey and 22nd on the executive of the GNBA.
“I do it because I love sports and I love kids. It is giving back to the kids because the kids are our future.”
By keeping kids busy it keeps them out of trouble and teaches them valuable life lessons as players, timekeepers, umpires, referees etc.
“If I keep one kid out of prison, that is priceless,” he said.
Important to the equation is to keep prices affordable so that opportunities are available to everyone regardless of social or economic status.
His volunteerism wasn’t without sacrifices.
“I have a passion for it and it was tough on my wife and kids. Every night I was out at a rink or on fields. If I have a hockey tournament with 70 teams, I am here all day for three days. I know I will have to give it up someday but when I can’t even answer that question for you.”
His family allowed him to give back to the community.
“If you don’t have your family’s support you can’t do this. They see my passion and my phone is on 24/7. I have no choice with tournaments and stuff like that.”
Scaringi’s favourite part of his volunteerism is dealing with the house league players.
“When we have a championship day or a hockey day at the end of the season and you are out there and you look in their eyes. They are never going to play double A or triple A but they are out there with their big eyes,” he said. “The biggest thrill I ever got was with my grandson, Nico, about four years ago when he was five years old.”
It happened on a baseball diamond.
“He was playing T-ball or junior rookie ball and I walked up and he asked me ‘What are you doing here?’ I told him ‘I’m the boss,’ ” Scaringi said, with a smile.
The NFCVI graduate, who also served as the vice president of the Niagara District Hockey League, has been previously recognized for his contributions to Niagara Falls.
Scaringi was named the winner of the George MacPhail Award in 2011 which is given to someone who has contributed outstanding volunteer service in recreation to the citizens of Niagara Falls. In 2014, he was presented with the Doug Austin Award which is given for dedicated volunteer service and accomplishment in sports.
BPSN is looking for a Niagara Falls business or individual to sponsor our continued coverage of the Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame. Please email bpuchalski@cogeco.ca for more information.
