Along with the stadium, his endowments include the Victor J. Cacciatore Annual Scholarship Award and the Joseph Cacciatore Classroom---both for the DePaul College of Law. For all he had accomplished in enhancing the university’s academics, facilities and athletics department, Cacciatore was inducted on Jan. 20, 2013 into the DePaul Athletic Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Dr. Robert Hamilton Special Service Award.
“Vic was such a sweetheart of a guy, and what an overwhelming significance he had on our university,” said DePaul Athletics Director Jean Lenti Ponsetto. “He was one of those iconic Chicago guys, and he created an iconic Chicago family name. “Born and raised in Bridgeport and a graduate of Mt. Carmel High School, Vic worked with his dad in building the family business. He was a part of what is now being hailed as the Greatest Generation of our time. He left a lasting legacy not only at DePaul, but also at Mt. Carmel and for the city of Chicago. “Vic worked his way through school, got a business and law degree from DePaul and served his country. His dad bought the building on South Wells Street and Vic created a family business. “He helped anchor the South Loop area long before anyone thought about being an anchor in the South Loop. His business helped to expand that area, which is where our new basketball arena is being built.” Cacciatore’s generosity came at a pivotal moment in the history of DePaul athletics. “The Cacciatore Stadium seating and improvements were necessary for us entering the BIG EAST Conference,” Ponsetto said. “If not for the generosity of Vic and Char, none of that would have been possible. “Not only did Cacciatore Stadium help DePaul athletics, but it benefitted children in the community as well. Chicago Public Schools and other elementary school students along with high school students are able to make use of the facility, and that really appealed to Vic and Char. A number of kids’ camp programs use the stadium. “Along with establishing the family name and running seven businesses, Vic was all about benefitting DePaul and the greater community. He has left behind a lasting legacy at DePaul and the entire city of Chicago.” Blue Demon softball coach Eugene Lenti knows what a huge impact Cacciatore has made on his nationally renowned program. “My first season was 1980 and we really didn’t have anything,” Lenti said. “We were lucky to have a bat and ball for practice. Money was tight. “We played our home games on a field at Racine and Webster. Our players would line up along the foul line and walk across the infield picking up rocks and pieces of broken glass. “Now we play in Cacciatore Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility and one of the most beautiful in the country.” Lenti reflected on a special memory about Vic and his family. “Every year during the Christmas season, Vic and his family invited our family---the Lenti family from DePaul and from Mt. Carmel---down to the Chicago Yacht Club for lunch,” Lenti said. “It was always such a beautiful view of the lake in winter and a special time. “Our softball program will always be indebted to Vic and Char and the Cacciatore family for everything they did in building Cacciatore Stadium and helping us with everything we’ve achieved. Before, we never showed recruits our softball field. Now, it’s the first thing we show them. “Thanks to Vic and Char, we’ve gone from the rocks of Racine and Webster to the palatial home of Cacciatore Stadium.”