Former student-athlete will be inducted into SHS Hall of Fame
By Mary Ann Tarr
“F” is for Frank. And, for Frank Martucci, “F” is also for family, friends, football, finance and fine arts.
Martucci, a former football standout at Steinert High School, is being inducted into his alma mater’s Athletic Hall of Fame during ceremonies April 1 in Hamilton.
Former Steinert High football standout Frank Martucci wore No. 73 when he excelled as an offensive lineman at William Penn University in Iowa.
After earning three varsity letters and unanimous all-city honors in football before graduating in 1966 from SHS, Martucci went on to William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he continued to excel on the gridiron.
In 2011, Martucci was inducted into the William Penn Athletic Hall of Fame. During the induction, it was noted that Martucci, a four-year letterman, helped turn the Statesmen football team into a national power in the late 1960s. He was described as one of the best offensive lineman in school history. He was an All-Iowa Conference honoree in 1969.
The leadership abilities that guided him when he was a captain of his football teams in high school and college also played a major role in his professional life. A former general partner and senior managing director and member of the Board of Directors of Bear Stearns & Co., Martucci also served as president of Millcross High Yield Fund before retiring.
After a successful career on Wall Street that lasted into his 40s, Martucci earned a master’s degree in philosophy in 1996 from Fordham University. Martucci and his wife Katherine were awarded honorary Doctorates from William Penn in 1994 following his commencement address.
As the story goes, a boy from Hamilton Township, N.J., and a girl from New York City went to Iowa where they met and fell in love. Frank and Katherine Martucci have three children and five
Frank Martucci with his wife Katherine.
grandchildren. They have homes in New York and Florida.
Active in community service, Martucci has served on the boards of numerous groups and he remains interested in philosophy, art and farming. He served on The Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institute (1997-99), later as chairman of the board (2000-03), and has emeritus status today. His resume’ also includes time as vice chairman of the Montclair (NJ) Art Museum (1993-99), as well as involvement at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City as Bryant Fellow, American Wing, member of the visiting committee, Department of Printing. He has served on the National Academy of Design board, Scenic Hudson board, Smithsonian National Board and the William Penn Board of Trustees (1982-1995).
He’s come a long way from his days as an offensive guard and defensive tackle for the Spartans.
“I liked football because of the competitive nature of the sport and the team concept of it,” Martucci said. He credited his coaches from high school and junior high as well as family members for their help in his development as a student-athlete. “I’d like to thank (Coaches) Pete Brescia, Dave Bryan, Coach (Jim) Wilno, and my Uncle Ron Fiori who always came to my games,” Martucci said.
For information about the SHS Athletic Hall of Fame, visit steinertathletichof.com where you can find details about the 2017 induction class as well as instructions regarding how to attend the dinner. You can also make nominations for deserving athletes, coaches, teams and special contributors to be considered for future induction ceremonies.
