Pictured: Steve Priolo. Photo Credit: Steve Priolo/Instagram
To say 2024 was an epic year for Steve Priolo might be a massive understatement.
The lacrosse defender, and captain of the National Lacrosse League Buffalo Bandits, won his second straight NLL Championship, then followed that up with a Mann Cup Championship (Canadian Senior A) with the Six Nations Chiefs.
Just weeks later, Priolo won a gold medal representing Team Canada at the World Indoor Box Lacrosse Championships in Utica, New York where he was an assistant captain.
Those three championships led to Priolo being named St. Catharines Athlete of the Year Monday night in City Council headquarters.
“I’m so grateful that St. Catharines is recognizing me,” said Priolo recently on the Niagara Sports Report on Newstalk 610 CKTB. “I’m getting sort of emotional and sweating here just even thinking about what a great honour it is and that my city is thinking of me.”
It transcends the game. It’s being able to not only be recognized by my city, but hopefully it allows me to give back and inspire lacrosse in St. Catharines and hopefully I’m inspiring the next generation to come up and it’s just a huge honour to be a part of that.”
Victor Raso Head Coach and General Manager of the Canadian Elite Basketball Champion Niagara River Lions was named St. Catharines Sportsperson of the Year after guiding the River Lions to their first ever CEBL Championship live across the country on TSN.
“The more I think about it, the more I realize how big of an honour it really is,” Raso said on the Niagara Sports Report. “At first I was very shocked by it, and I still am. I feel very connected to the region. This award is very humbling, and I’m very proud to have accepted it.”
And Monday turned out to be a double celebration for Raso, the River Lions and his family as before the presentation at City Council, the River Lions announced a three-year contract extension for the head coach and general manager.
“Victor embodies everything we stand for as an organization – professionalism, passion, dedication and a relentless drive to succeed,” said team President, Michelle Biskup. “We couldn’t be prouder of his achievements, and we’re excited to continue building a championship calibre team under his leadership for years to come.”
Raso is also head coach of the Ridley College Prep Boys Basketball team.
And a little tidbit surrounding both winners, Raso and Priolo actually played Canadian University basketball against each other. Raso with Carleton, Priolo at Windsor.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
