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Steve Orsini
(Courtesy Photo)
Jeff Oliver is the Valley Independent sports editor and can be reached at 724-684-2666 or via e-mail.
CARROLL TOWNSHIP - The latest guest speaker for the Joe Montana banquet on Aug. 17 is no stranger to the NFL Hall of Famer.
Steve Orsini, who played fullback at Notre Dame when Montana starred there as a quarterback, will reflect on Montana's years as the leader of the Fighting Irish in the mid-1970s.
The gala event slated for the Southpointe Hilton is part of the Mon Valley YMCA's fund-raising efforts for a $2.5 million expansion project.
Montana, who quarterbacked the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl titles, agreed to come back and help the YMCA mainly because of the years he spent there as a youth.
Orsini was a co-captain on Notre Dame's 1977 championship team and was a close friend of Montana's during their college days.
Orsini is currently the athletic director at the University of Central Florida. He took over the position at the beginning of July.
Prior to that, he served as senior associate director of athletics for the Georgia Tech Athletic Association.
“We’re glad Steve has agreed to come back and help us celebrate this special night,” said Ken Wiltz, executive director of the Mon Valley YMCA. “He pretty much fills out the spectrum of speakers for us.”
Joining Orsini as speakers for the event will be Wiltz, Keith Bassi, Ulice Payne and Edward DeBartolo Jr.
Wiltz will reflect on Montana's days as a youth and teen working out at the YMCA.
Bassi (football) and Payne (basketball) will reflect on Montana's athletic career at Ringgold.
DeBartolo will talk about Montana's career with the 49ers, a career which saw the Monongahela native blossom into one of the best quarterbacks ever to play pro football.
Wiltz said tickets for the gala are going at a brisk pace, but there are still some available for the event.
Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for the affair may do so by calling the Mon Valley YMCA (724-483-8077).
Montana's day on Aug. 17 will start on the new bridge named in his honor on the Mon Fayette Expressway.
From there he will go to the YMCA for ceremonies for the Y’s gymnasium being named after him.
Then he will sign autographs for two hours for some 200 pre-chosen youths. The youths were selected from a random drawing.
Montana is also going to make a private donation toward the expansion project.
