A Testimonial Dinner for boxer Dan Bucceroni in 1954 began the cherished Kenosha tradition of Sports Night at Holy Rosary. For seven decades, Holy Rosary has hosted the awards banquet to celebrate exceptional high school scholar-athletes. Since 1957, 118 high school athletes have been honored with the Alan Ameche Award and since 2004, the Turco-DeSimone Scholarships.
Sports Night has featured an impressive lineup of 354 Professional Athletes, Olympians, Sports Officials and Professional Broadcasters. Their presence and words of wisdom have been a highlight of the evening. Recent years have witnessed economic and structural changes in college and professional sports, making it challenging to secure top celebrity appearances for the event. As a result, in February 2024, Sports Night at Holy Rosary will not host a banquet, a decision driven by evolving economics and sponsorships.
The 71st year introduces a new format, with athlete selection occurring in May with recognition of the winners coordinated through their school and through social media (Kenosha Sports Night on Facebook; www.hrsportsnight.com). Despite these changes, the commitment to honoring local scholar-athletes remains unwavering and includes continuation of the Turco-DeSimone Scholarships.
This decision has been difficult. We thank the Greater Kenosha Community for your understanding and support during this transition. Our goal is to continue the great Kenosha tradition of recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of the Outstanding High School Scholar-Athletes in Kenosha County.
Please contact Greg Pawell 262-308-9929, grpawell@gmail.com; or Tony Geliche 262-818-4961, tgeliche@gmail.com for questions.
