Click Here for the 2012 Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Application Form The Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Fund Events: See Pictures Below "The Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Fund Awards Banquet" May 24, 2012 "The Ilio DiPaolo Memorial Golf Classic" June 11, 2012 "The Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Fund's Celebrity Chef's Culinary Extravaganza" October 2012 Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Awards Night Winners Announced On May 19, 2011 These scholarships are awarded to individuals who excel in academics as well athletics, while contributing to their family and community. This idea to create an Award and Scholarship in the name of Ilio DiPaolo was through the efforts of Bud Carpenter, Randy Ribbeck, Jim Kelly and the entire Buffalo Bills Organization. They felt that his strong belief in education, athletics and family were essential for success. Ilio also believed that as your success grew so should the support you give your community. The first year we were fortunate to give 2 scholarships through the financial support of many friends, organizations, businesses and individuals we didn’t even know. Then came “Legends”, the idea of Mark Stone, to bring Pro Wrestling back to Buffalo in the name of Ilio DiPaolo raising over $350,000 for Children’s Hospital, Buffalo Police Athletic League, Hunters’ Hope and many other organizations. The Scholarship Fund has also grown through the South Shore Rotary Club Memorial Golf Outing, the Romulus Club Sports Nite and the Celebrity Chef Dinner. A special recognition goes to all the people who have volunteered their time to make the “Scholarship Fund” a successful reality! 2011 Scholarship Award Winners 2011 Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Award Winner: Philip Czapla East Aurora High School In honoring the memory and the high ideals of Ilio DiPaolo, we are proud to announce this award providing recognition and financial aid to this deserving college bound athlete, who has become an accomplished wrestler through dedication, skill and sportsmanship, while maintaining scholastics and citizenship. 2011 Gary Castanza Award Winner: Abdulqawi Mohamed Lackawanna High School The Gary Castanza Award is named after the legendary Martial Arts Sokie and owner of Universal Martial Arts Academy, Gary Castanza. He was revolutionary in his field, training police and security forces along with Green Berets. His audiovisual tapes were just the beginning and led to training NFL players. His endless support of charitable organizations and individuals showed his belief in community and family. 2011 “Destroyer” Wrestling Award: Irwin Buck Niagara Falls High School The “Destroyer” award is named after Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer Dick Beyer. Dick wrestled for and captained the Syracuse football team to their 1 st Bowl appearance. Recently inducted into the Greater Buffalo Hall Of Fame, his tireless and endless effort to support our community is legendary! The Destroyer still takes high school wrestlers back to Japan every summer to compete in the National Tournament. Ryan Needle, past award recipient, traveled in his early youth with the Destroyer to Japan. 2011 Bill Hein Award Winner (Most Dedicated): Adam Donner Niagara-Wheatfield High School The Dedicated Wrestler Award honors Bill Hein whose love and dedication to wrestling promoted our sport on all levels nationally and in our area. This award goes to a wrestler who displays that love and commitment to wrestling. 2011 Cauliflower Alley Club Award: Dylan Duncanson Medina High School The Cauliflower Alley Club is an association of past, present and future champions, combatants and allied personages joining in celebration and recognition of fellowship within the wrestling world. 2011 St. Francis Captains Award Akheel Lynch In the late 1980’s St. Francis High School wrestling tournaments began honoring Ilio DiPaolo and awarded the Ilio DiPaolo Award annually. Upon Ilio’s passing the football program dedicated their season to Ilio DiPaolo and proceeded to win their league championship. They still continue to name their captain after Ilio DiPaolo. Past Scholarship Winners 1996 - 2011 ILIO DIPAOLO AWARD 1996 Greg Bentley (Ripley) 1997 David Guarino (Lake Shore) 1998 Ryan Bentley (Ripley) 1999 Greg Tompsett (Falconer) 2000 Brian Tatar (Sweet Home) 2001 Chris Purtell (Pioneer) 2002 Chris Terranova (Lancaster) 2003 Ryan Needle (Newfane) 2004 Joe Calderon (Eden) 2005 Kane H. Smith (Salamanaca) 2005 Matthew Mazgaj (Southwestern) 2006 Alexander Siedlecki (Clarence) 2007 Matt Mariacher (Iroquois) 2008 Christopher Conti (Fredonia) 2009 Jared Messina (Cheektowaga) 2010 Dominic Montesanti (Medina) 2011 Philip Czapla (East Aurora) BILL HEIN AWARD 1998 Chris Fairbank (Southwestern) 1999 Andy Johnson (Southwestern) 2000 Joseph Glinsky (Iroquois) 2001 Dan Uderitz (Albion) 2002 Ryan Feltz (Springville) 2003 Daniel Murrer (Williamsville East) 2004 Brandon Monin (Lancaster) 2005 Errick Cholewa (Starpointe) 2006 Michael Bunn (Eden) 2007 John Taylor (Lockport) 2008 Mark Lewandowski(Lancaster) 2009 Matthew Peters(East Aurora) 2010 Joseph Kalinka (Iroquois) 2011 Adam Donner (Niagara-Wheatfield) CAULIFLOWER ALLEY AWARD 1996 Alonzo Roane (Niagara Falls) 1997 Anthony Calandra (Sweet Home) 1998 Adam Brunner (Clarence) 1998 Sean Deland (Williamsville East) 1998 Joe DeBarbieri (Portville) 1998 John DeBarbieri (Portville) 1999 Dan Thrush (Canisius) 2000 Adam Rowe (Ripley) 2001 Brandon Booker (St. Francis) 2002 Derek Ostrowski (Lancaster) 2003 Larry Aceti (Niagara Falls) 2004 Jeremy Stopa (Newfane) 2005 Stephen Sanderson (N. Ton.) 2006 Reece & Lucas Mariacher (Iroquois) 2007 Tom Rozborski (St. Joseph's) 2008 Eric Velez (Medina) 2009 Clayton Reeb(Cheektowaga) 2010 James Donner (Niagara-Wheatfield) 2011 Dylan Duncanson (Medina)   GARY CASTANZA AWARD 1997 Dan Dixon (Niagara-Wheatfield) 1998 Adam Kampff (East Aurora) 1999 Brian Hanselman (Sweet Home) 2000 Robert Truman (Allegany-Limestone) 2001 Michael Sebaaly (Lancaster) 2002 Dan Faden (Amherst) 2003 Jamie Minner (Salamanca) 2004 Bradley Penhollow (Falconer) 2005 Mike Rozbowski (St. Joseph's) 2006 Jamie Ott (East Aurora) 2007 Jacob Koshinski (Niagara Wheatfield) 2008 Matt Metzler (Salamanca) 2009 Carlene Sluberski (Fredonia) 2010 Kyle Colling (Pioneer) 2011 Abdulqawi Mohamed (Lackawanna) “DESTROYER” WRESTLING RECOGNITION AWARD 1997 Josh States (Lockport) 1998 Rashad Evans (Niagara-Wheatfield) 1999 Ryan Fralick (Falconer) 2000 Bill Prince (Frewsberg) 2001 Victor Arena (Salamanca) 2002 J.R. Roberts (Medina) 2003 William Sidey (Fredonia) 2004 Kevin Rosplock (Cassadaga Valley) 2005 Justin Walp (Lewiston-Porter) 2006 Daniel Audy (Clarence) 2007 Salvatore Montesanti Jr. (Medina) 2008 Robin Broda (Eden) 2009 Kenneth Betts (Fredonia) 2010 Angelo Malvestuto (Niagara-Wheatfield) 2011 Irwin Buck (Niagara Falls) ST. FRANCIS CAPTAINS AWARD 1996 Peter Talty 1997 Robert Crummet 1998 Dan Puckhaber 1999 Nathaniel Suchyna 2000 Michael Radon 2001 William Seychew 2002 Adam Hass 2003 John Lambert 2004 Ralph Pignataro 2005 Nick MacDonald 2006 Pat Garvin 2007 Luke Tasker 2008 Delano Fabor 2009 Brandon McLean 2010 Adam Pasnik 2011 Akheel Lynch "Mike & Dennis, Just wanted to let you know that John Taylor, one of your 2007 scholarship recepients would have made you proud over the last two weeks of competition. He took 2nd at the Brockport Open and 3rd at the incredibly competitive U.B. OPen last weekend. In the semis, he feel 5 -4 to the 197 pounder who took 2nd in the Nationals last year. To be awarded the Most Dedicated Wrestler Award was by far one of the nicest things that ever happened to him. We'll keep you posted on all his doings in college." E-Mail Quote from: Mary & John Taylor Sr. November 7, 2007 Masi Wine Dinner Thursday, July 28, 2011 Kevin LoVullo, Raffaele Boscaini, Dennis DiPaolo, Ilio DiPaolo & Mike Nejadalik of Empire Merchants   Michael Mondavi seen here via Skype from Hawaii Ilio DiPaolo's Restaurant hosted the Masi Wine Dinner on Thursday, July 28, 2011. This five course wine and food pairing featured wines from Masi and a specially created menu by Chef, Michael DiPaolo. Special guest was Raffaele Boscaini, global brand ambassador for Masi, and Michael Mondavi who joined the event via Skype from Hawaii. The event was taped live to be heard on Kevin LoVullo's "Spiel the Wine" Radio Show at a later date. The wine afficinados spoke about wine and answered audience questions. The event was sponsored by both the Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Fund and Kevin LoVullo from the "Spiel the Wine" Radio Show. Tom DeNisco Receives "Ilio DiPaolo Humanitarian Award" Tom DeNisco pictured next to Dennis DiPaolo after receiving the "Ilio DiPaolo Humanitarian Award"   The Buffalo Bisons recently hosted their Annual Italian American Festival Night on Tuesday July 26, 2011 where Tom DeNisco was honored with the "Ilio DiPaolo Humanitarian Award". This award is given to a person or family who has been very successful in their life endeavors and has given back to their community. Tom and his wife, Chris have been the proud owners & operators of Tina's Italian Kitchen in the Village of Hamburg, as well as members of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, for the past 30 years. He was one of the founders of the Friendly Restaurants of the Southtowns (F.I.R.S.T.) and has contributed to his community in many ways including sponsoring teams & events, serving on the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, donating to school & community events, donating pizzas to Camp Good Days & Special Times and working closely with "Buffalo for Africa", a group created by his daughter, Christina, bringing financial assistance to people in Africa. The "Ilio DiPaolo Humanitarian Award" was given to Tom DeNisco by Dennis DiPaolo, owner of Ilio DiPaolo's Restaurant in Blasdell. The event also featured a pre-game tent party, live music, a spaghetti eating contest, a performance by the Lake Erie Italian Club Dancers, bocce and post-game fireworks. Also honored was the Honorable Sheila DiTullio who received the Bison Baseball Italian American Woman of the Year Award. Past Winners of the Ilio DiPaolo Humanitarian Award: The Billittier Family Dr. Andrew Cappuccino Peter Certo & Family Drew Cerza Bill DeLuca Jim DeMarco The DeSanto Family Ron DiGiore Eleanor DiVencenzo & Family Ralph Galanti Mark LaMartina John Romanello & Family Russell Salvatore Don Spasiano Frank Tuscano Buffalo Bills Bocce Night - September 26, 2011: Buffalo Bills players enjoying a game of bocce at Ilio's 2011 Bocce Champions led by Team Captain, Leslie. Garrison Sanborn, Eric Woods & Chris Harrison A Fun Filled Night With Good Food, Good Friends & Good Wine! 2011 Celebrity Chef's Culinary Extravaganza Featuring Chef Dan Buckley, ECC Instructor & Executive Chef from The Other Woman Catering, Dr. Andy Cappuccino, Chef Michael DiPaolo & their staff. 2011 Celebrity Chef's Culinary Extravaganza Kerry Guilfoyle of Folio Fine Wines with Mike Niejadlik of Empire Liquors 2011 Celebrity Chef's Culinary Extravaganza Bud Carpenter & Dennis DiPaolo honoring Jack Bertsch for his support & contributions to the Ilio Scholarship Fund & Western New York.   Ilio DiPaolo's - 3785 South Park Avenue, Blasdell, NY 14219 "A Family Restaurant with a Gourmet Touch!" Reservations: 716-825-3675 Serving Lunch Tuesday - Friday 11:30 am - 3:00 pm Serving Dinner Tuesday - Friday 3:00 pm - Close Saturday from 2:00 pm & Sunday from 1:00 pm MONDAY ONLY OPEN FOR PRIVATE FUNCTIONS Click Here For Interactive Map and Directions SITE NAVIGATION Home - Restaurant Menus - The Champ & Legends - Banquets - Catering - Store - Gift Cards - Testimonials Taras Mall - Outdoor Courtyard & Bocce Court - Contact Us - Scholarship Fund - SITE MAP FIRST GROUP WEBSITE Copyright 2010 Ilio DiPaolo's all rights reserved No text or images can be used from this site without permission Site Developed by WNYWebsites web site development and hosting services, Cheektowaga NY 716-668-5223 X 8180