National Football Foundation

Without asking the question people will tell you their thoughts about Emo DiNitto. At the mere mention of his name, his acquaintances instantly ooze with enthusiasm and issue exalting statements. "He's just the best, a truly amazing guy," is a typical response.
 
As a player, a coach and now an administrator, DiNitto's passion for the game of football and for Rhode Island's young athletes has garnered the admiration, loyalty and the respect of many people, and he has leveraged his statewide reputation as the president of the Rhode Island Chapter of The National Football Foundation since 1994 to benefit of hundreds of Ocean State student-athletes. The chapter, arguably one of the nation's most active NFF groups, organizes a prestigious annual awards ceremony honoring "The Golden Dozen" - 12 outstanding high school student-athletes who demonstrate excellence not only on the field but in the classroom. Approximately $88,000 has been awarded to over 200 of Rhode Island's finest student-athletes.
 
To raise money for the chapter's scholarships, DiNitto organizes an annual golf tournament. Other chapter activities include supporting an NFL/NFF Coaching Academy at the New England Patriots' Gillette Stadium playing an active role with the NFF's Play It Smart program at Central Falls High School in the Northern part of the state and Hope High School in Providence.
 
"Emo has done a remarkable job in rebuilding the Rhode Island Chapter from 20 members to well over 100," said NFF Regional Coordinator Howie Vandersea. "He is the heart and soul of the chapter and is very much respected by chapter members, coaching associates, his former players and the citizens of Rhode Island. He is the perfect chapter leader for Rhode Island."
 
DiNitto's involvement with the chapter holds a special place in his heart.
 
"Everything I have is possible because of football," DiNitto said. "Getting involved in the NFF is a way to give back to the kids for a lot of the stuff that I got as a player. If it wasn't for football, I probably would've ended up in jail... [Football] was kind of like a savior to me."
 
Football not only kept DiNitto from getting into trouble, but it also represented a way for him to afford higher education. A walk-on at Boston University, he played on the freshmen team. After proving he could handle the pressures of being a college quarterback, BU awarded DiNitto a scholarship, and he wound up starting every game for the rest of his football career at BU. After college, DiNitto played for three years with a semi-pro football team, the Providence Steamrollers.
 
DiNitto started coaching high school football in 1960, and over a 30- year span, he coached at Bishop Hendricken High School, Warwick Veterans and Toll Gate, where he spent more than half of his illustrious career. According to Gregg Drew, former Toll Gate football player, DiNitto's last concern as a coach was the team record.
 
"He was willing to do anything for the kids," Drew said. "It was never about wins or losses. He was a father figure to many of the kids, and he was very instrumental in getting me into college. He's just very charismatic, genuine, and loving."
 
This fall, as a special request of his daughter Nancy Vadeboncoeur, who died this past summer after an 11-year struggle with cancer, Toll Gate's newly refurbished football complex will officially be named "Emo DiNitto Field" in honor of its dedicated coach of nearly 20 years. Drew believes that no one is more deserving of such recognition.
 
"He's extremely passionate about promoting football and the goodwill associated with [the sport]," said Drew. "He's touched an endless amount of people."
 
DiNitto resides in Warwick, Rhode Island with his wife Nan. They have another daughter, Kelly.