Athletic Accomplishments
Daniel Victor DiLoreto graduated from Ravenna High School in 1928. He was a star Ravenna athlete during the 20’s and 30’s and made a name for himself in the world of baseball. While attending RHS, he played for the Trolley League Basketball and Football teams as one of their outstanding athletes. He played both offense and defense in football and played forward in basketball. He was also very active in many other extracurricular activities during his four years at Ravenna High. After graduation, Dan received a football scholarship to Mount Union College.
After attending college, he was instrumental in bringing sports to Ravenna on a scale larger than Ravenna had ever seen. In 1933, Dan was chosen by Franklin Gray Sr. to coach the Golden Bears Bantamweight football team in Ohio’s Bantamweight League. The Bears became known as one of the best teams in Ohio. Several players went on to college stardom. Dan won recognition as a baseball player and was recruited by the Toledo Mud Hens in the American Association. He also played for the Standard Oil Company in the Texas League. He was known to be an excellent catcher and hitter and was given the name “Dangerous Dan” by a sports writer.
After returning home from the Navy at the end of WWII, he convinced the VFW Post 1055 to install stadium lights for night baseball. Dan organized and managed the VFW baseball team and was instrumental in bringing strong semi-pro teams from all over Ohio and surrounding states to play on that “field of dreams”. One memorable game was with Goose Tatum of the famous Indianapolis Clowns playing first base with a huge glove. Dan’s dedication and love of sports created fun times and memories for the people in Portage and surrounding counties.
Dan was born in Ravenna in 1910 to parents August DiLoreto and Ernestine Senerchia DiLoreto. He had a sister, Clara; daughter, Ernestine; son, Daniel Jr.; four grandchildren, Cheri, Christopher, Victor, Denise and six great-grandchildren. Dan and his wife, Rose, are buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ravenna.