One of the top athletes to come from Solvay, Al Romano competed in three sports during his high school years at Solvay High—track, wrestling and football. It was obvious, however, that football was his true sport. He was all-county his junior and senior years, along with being the Bearcat captain those two years. Al was recruited by SU, Penn State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina and East Carolina after a year at prep school in Virginia. He chose Pitt and played under head coaches Johnny Majors and Jackie Sherrill. He played defensive tackle his first two seasons before moving to nose guard (1975) where he made second team All-American. He was also name the defensive MVP in the Sun Bowl that season. His senior year was a college player’s dream as Al was first team All-American for the national champion Panthers. His Sugar Bowl winning team had a 12-0 record that was led offensively by Tony Dorsett. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1977 and eventually traded to Tampa Bay. He and the Bucs couldn’t come to terms so he went to the Canadian Football League where he played three years for Hamilton and Toronto. He coached part-time at Pitt for Sherrill before moving back home where h now lives. He has been active in youth football and college football camps. He and his wife Patti have three children: sons Craig and Jamie, and daughter Corie.