Tano Ozzello


Year Inducted: 1992
Nominated By: Jim Conrad and Michael J. Marcovecchio
Sports Competed In: N/A
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Coach, Administrator

Tano OzzelloTano Ozzello

High School:
Attended Trinidad H.S., in Trinidad, CO, graduating in 1951.

College:
Went to the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO where he graduated in 1955...Continued his post-graduate studies at Adams State College in Alamosa, CO working on a Masters Degree...He also earned a Principal Certificate from the University of Denver and a Superintendent Certificate from Western State College in Gunnison, CO.

Coaching Career:
Coached both football and basketball at Pueblo Catholic H.S. and Roncalli.

Achievements:
Coaching:
● As the Shamrocks basketball coach, posted an 85-15 record and won the Southern Colorado Parochial League crown four straight years from 1964-67.
● In Roncalli's first year in the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA), they got beat in the last quarter in a game against the Wheatridge Farmer (March 4, 1968).

Contributions:
● Spent 35 years in education administration.
● Begin his career as a teacher/coach for four years (1955-59) at Primero Union School, moved on to work the next three years (1960-63) in the Trinidad Public Schools.
● Moved to Pueblo where he worked at Pueblo Catholic High School from 1963-71.
● Worked for one year as both the Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Roncalli High School in Pueblo (1971).
● Moved to the eastern plains and taking over the Principal duties for the next 20 years at La Junta High School from 1971-91.
● Member of the Executive Committee for the CHSAA for seven years (1983-90) and served as its President for two years (1987-89).
● Played a key roll on the development and implementation of "War On Drugs" program that includes a series of statewide seminars for high school and junior high students, as well as coaches and parents, to battle the war on drugs.

Quotes:
"Ozzello was as crafty as he was animated and high-spirited, one of the city’s more interesting and successful coaches."
-- Dave Socier, The Pueblo Chieftain

Occupation:
Worked as a teacher, coach and administrator

Personal:
Lived in Pueblo with his wife, Mary.. Passed away on February 24, 2005 at age 71.


GPSA "O" By The Numbers

LEGEND: p = awarded posthumously; ^= attended first meeting; * = deceased;+ = charter member (placed after year inducted)

 1
Athlete
Ronald "Big O" Oreskovich (2017*)

Athlete/Coach/Contributor
Joseph “Swift” Michael Occhiato (2020*p)

Attended H.S. Inside Colorado
Tano Ozzello (1992*)
Trinidad H.S., Trinidad, CO

Baseball
Ronald "Big O" Oreskovich (2017*p)

Basketball
Ronald "Big O" Oreskovich (2017*p)

Charter Inductee
Edward A. "Ed" Orazem (1973*+)

Coach/Administrator
Tano Ozzello (1992*)

Contributor
Edward A. "Ed" Orazem (1973*+)

Football
Ronald "Big O" Oreskovich (2017*p)

Softball
Ronald "Big O" Oreskovich (2017*p)

 

 

2
Attended Pueblo Central H.S.
Ronald "Big O" Oreskovich (2017*p)
Edward A. "Ed" Orazem (1973*+)

Honorees Inducted Posthumously
Joseph “Swift” Michael Occhiato (2020*p)
Ronald "Big O" Oreskovich (2017*p)

 

4
Honorees Deceased
Joseph “Swift” Michael Occhiato (2020*p)
Ronald "Big O" Oreskovich (2017*p)
Tano Ozzello (1992*)
Edward A. "Ed" Orazem (1973*+)

Honorees in "O" Section

 

REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN GPSA INDUCTEES

The Greater Pueblo Sports Association (GPSA) has announced a list of honorees that have passed since the 2023 induction ceremony on Nov. 15.

 

 

Daniel RosalesDaniel
Rosales

12/13/2023
Class of 2002

Everett C. ThalhamerEverett C.
Thalhamer

12/23/2023
Class of 2014

Bob GrahamBobby Max
Graham

02/26/2024
Class of 1990

Joe BonaquistaJoe
Bonaquista

07/16/2024
Class of 1977