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VOL. 13 • NO. 40
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2017
Odeum hosts Memorial BREWFEST Service for Soccer Hall Buddies of Famer Tony Dallas On Wednesday, Sept. 20, a memorial ceremony was held at the Odeum Sports & Expo Center in Villa Park, to honor the life of Hall of Famer soccer legend Tony Dallas, who passed away on April 4 of this year. Tony started his soccer career at the young age of 15 years old in 1960, signing a contract as a professional goalkeeper for AO Kastoria in Greece. He was also offered a job working part-time at a bank that supported his team with publicity. He felt honored and proud to be a young representative of the game of soccer. Tony first came to America in spring of 1961, during the offseason for soccer in Greece. He played pro soccer with Olympiakos Chicago until the end of summer. For nearly five years Tony bounced back and forth between continents playing pro soccer for Greece and the United States. He lived from a suitcase and was on the road most of his time as a professional player. When Tony played with the Chicago Horizon Indoor Soccer team (then housed at the Rosemont Horizon) he met the Grecos, the close-knit family that owns and runs the Odeum Sports & Expo Center in Villa Park. His team began practicing at the Odeum and the relationship with the Greco family grew. The Grecos became Tony’s second family. Tony played professionally until 1982 and continued to play soccer for the next several years, but began focusing on coaching both indoor and outdoor amateur teams after an injury sidelined him. In 1986 the Odeum Sports Center snapped him up and he became their full-time Sports Director and remained so until his death this past April. Tony Dallas led his teams to many Championships over the years. In all, Tony has coached 25 Indoor Championship teams and 33 Outdoor Championship teams over the years. On Saturday, Nov. 18, 2012, at the Stadium Club in Toyota Park, Tony Dallas was inducted into the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame. Soccer fans, aficionados and dignitaries from all over the nation attended this prestigious affair, the 2012 Induction Ceremony and Banquet, to honor those who have displayed an outstanding commitment and service to the game of soccer. Tony Dallas’ plaque and photo is displayed on the Wall of Fame, a photographic display of inductees.
Inside:
Charles Wyran and Robert Miller traveled from Lisle and Lombard to sample the craft beers available at Villa Park’s first annual “Brewfest” event held at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, Sept. 23. Nearly 400 attendees came to try beer from area brewers. More photos inside.
PAUL DELGUIDICE PHOTO Villa Park Independent
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