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On the road with the athletic director

Tom Mulvey, Vin Cullen ’55, Bob Berlam '58 and his wife, Ann, and president emeritus John Nazarian '54.

Tom Mulvey, Vin Cullen ’55, Bob Berlam '58 and his wife, Ann, and president emeritus John Nazarian '54.
A few weeks ago while attending a national athletic directors forum in Florida, I decided to try to link up with some alumni and friends who reside in the Sunshine State.


Eleanor Tartaglia, wife of the late Sylvio “Ed” Tartaglia ’53,
and Don Tencher.
I started in the Tampa area where I traveled to have lunch with Mrs. Eleanor Tartaglia. I always look forward to seeing Mrs. Tartaglia because she is a delight to be with, and always picks a great local restaurant to meet at in the vicinity of her Parrish home.

Mrs. Tartaglia, the widow of former soccer player and Athletic Hall of Famer Ed Tartaglia ’53, is a great friend of RIC Athletics and she has been extremely generous to our program. I am happy to report that she is doing great, riding her bicycle, playing bingo, teaching quilting and babysitting for her niece’s children.

Next it was two-hour ride down the coast to the Naples area, and dinner with alums, Tom Dolan ’73 and Joe DiMaria ’74. Tom and Joe are spending the winter down in Florida, both enjoying the sunshine and their golf games are said to be improving.

The next day Anne and Bob Berlam ’58 were very gracious hosts for a pre-dinner event. Joining in the festivities were former RIC President John Nazarian, alum Vin Cullen ’55, and Tom Mulvey.

Tom is the former vice-chancellor of UMass Dartmouth, a resident of the Ocean State in the summer and a good friend of many of us associated with RIC Athletics. Dr. Nazarian was slim, tan, and enjoying the good life in Florida. On occasion, he has played golf with John Fitta, president of the RIC Foundation.


Don Tencher and Michele Fanelli '04.
After several days of professional meetings, it was time to drive across to the east coast via Alligator Alley to meet with several alums in the Ft. Lauderdale area before flying home.

The first meeting was with recent Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Michele Fanelli ’04. Michelle is a police officer in her hometown of Pembroke Pines and recently completed a master’s degree in sports management. Her goal is to return to her first love – sports and athletics – when her law enforcement career is over.

The next day it was down to Miami to meet with our basketball Hall of Famer Dr. Cesar Palomeque ’77.

Following some recent surgery, Cesar is busier than ever with a thriving dental practice and a new career as a singer. If you visit the Keys and you see a big guy who resembles Cesar playing the guitar and singing, it is probably him.


Cesar Palomeque '77
On my way home I met in the airport Leo Lemoi and his wife Maureen Bailey who were traveling back to Rhode Island. We had actually tried to get together the day before, but they had a previous engagement so it was good connecting at the airport.

Maureen, the owner of Bailey Chrysler Plymouth Jeep, has been a supporter of RIC Athletics and her mother, a RIC alum, attended reunions well into her 90s and always drove herself.

Next year, I hope to link up with more of our alums in Florida. Thank you to all those who took time out of their busy schedules to meet with me. Remember no matter where you live, you can catch all of the Anchormen and Anchorwomen sports action on GoAnchormen.com .