The history of soccer in the Mohawk Valley, of course does not begin with Coliseum Soccer Club. Perhaps Coliseum SC can be considered one of the most beneficial end products made possible by several generations of immigrants from Europe, beginning in the late 19th Century, whom brought their passionate appreciation of “the most beautiful game” with them from foreign lands to their adopted homeland of the United States. In particular, those whom came from Italy, Germany, Poland, Hungary, The Ukraine and Great Britain seemed to have been the most active in the community in keeping both the spirit and reality of the sport alive for their children and new neighbors.
The émigrés, whom would be most influential in the founding of Coliseum Soccer Club in 1978, were those of Italian descent, whom left a devastated mother country following World War II seeking new opportunities for themselves and their children in the fertile and beautiful Valley of the Mohawk. These original families and their descendants would eventually form the nucleus of an exciting new soccer tradition for the region.
They included such well-known names as Vito D’Alessandro, Philip Casamento, John Fornino, Pat Magro and Joseph Putruele. These dedicated men continue to be a source of leadership and inspiration to the soccer community as all of these individuals are still active with Coliseum SC to this day. In the spring of 1977, they formed the core of a team. They called themselves “Sons of Italy”. The following year, the Club name was changed to reflect the sponsorship of Coliseum Restaurant and to honor the Restaurant’s owner, Vincenzo Calautti for his support.
From the very beginning, Coliseum SC squads were able to achieve success on the field. As reported by Joseph Putruele, the Club’s first President, Coliseum received “clamorous affirmation, giving luster and glory to the team, which has rewarded the effort and capillary work developed by the utmost diligence of Coach Mario Torri.”
Mr. Putruele was referring to the summer of 1978, when Coliseum’s newly formed team competed in several tournaments including the Sal Inserra Memorial Tournament in Utica. In the championship match, Coliseum was locked in a fierce struggle with the talented side of cross-town rival, Dodge City. The star of the game was center forward John Fornino, whom hammered home both goals in Coliseum SC’s 2-1 victory. The prestige and glamour of soccer, Italian style, had been reaffirmed in the Mohawk Valley. As Joe Putruele later recalled, “The trophy in cloth granted to our winning team, galvanized Mario Torri’s boys and represented a stimulus of confidence for the future.”
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