On Saturday October 26^th the National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation (NFCACF) hosted its 2024 Croatian American Sports Hall of Fame (CAS-HOF) induction ceremony at the Marriott City Center Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh.

This banquet celebrated the extraordinary achievements of twelve incredible athletes of Croatian descent who made an indelible mark in the world of sports.

The ceremony event sold out with 330 dinner guests and with 24 tables of family members and friends of the athletes, coupled with all the NFCACF delegates in town with another 100 plus Croatian Fraternal Union members.

The weekend began with an evening reception on October 25^th at the Croatian Fraternal Union of America (CFU) Headquarters in Monroeville with families of the 2024 inductees to the Croatian Sports Hall of Fame for food and tambura music performed by Zabova.

CFU members gave the inductees and their family members tours of the CFU facility which is truly a living museum with so much Croatian culture, history and art.

At the Saturday evening induction ceremony, the eleven inductees and family representatives for those who passed away received their CAS-HOF awards.

The fact that at least six of the inductees hailed from Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania helped draw such a big crowd. A cocktail reception introduced the attendees to tamburitza music before the banquet and was sponsored by CFU. Croatian Ambassador to the United States Pjer Simonovic made a guest appearance and took many photos with the inductees and their families.

The Master of Ceremonies for the 2024 event was Emmy award winner and longtime sportscaster, Jerome Jurenovich.

It was very exciting to have two gold medalists at the induction ceremony including Rudy Tomjanovich (2000-basketball) and John Mayasich (ice hockey-1960). Also, Kara Grgas Goucher (long distance runner), Tim Grgurich (NBA Coach), Jim Laslavic (NFL-sports broadcaster) and  Ralph Cindrich (NFL-sports agent) attended this ceremony.

CFU President Ed Pazo, Gold Medalist, John Mayasich, Bishop William Walterscheid and Croatian Ambassador Pjer Simunovic (Photo: NFCACF)

The acceptance speeches were so heart warming with so much reverence for family and for their Croatian heritage. The family representatives included boxer Fritzie’s daughter Jan Zivic, giving a wonderful acceptance speech as did Maureen and Patrick Mikan for their father, George Mikan.

Rudy Tomjanovich with sportscaster Jerome Jurenovich (Photo: NFCACF)

Frank Sinkwich, the 3rd, send a video accepting the award on his grandfather’s behalf, sitting next to the Heisman Trophy. Susan Fralic, the widow of University of Pittsburgh All American and NFL superstar accepted for her husband. Lastly, Rick Frost spoke to salute his grandfather, the softball legend,  “King Kong” Paul Tomasovich.

Coach Tim Grgurich at the podium (Photo: NFCACF)

The 31st NFCACF Annual Assembly of delegates met privately Saturday morning with a full agenda covering the organization’s many initiatives and future plans. The delegates discussed issues including: Avoidance of Double Taxation Treaty,  a new enhanced Public Relations Committee, topics within the Art Donation Committee. our support for Croatia’s Special Olympics group, our History Series, the Croatian American Sports HOF,  NATO’s 75th Anniversary events and the Island of Vis project to honor American airmen. 

Jim Laslavic getting award from Steve Rukavina (Photo: NFCACF)

Elections were held and the nine members of the NFCACF Executive Committee are: Steve Rukavina (President), Biljana Lovrinovic-Abel (Executive Vice President),  Mark Plavetic (Secretary), Marty Kajic (Treasurer) with three Vice Presidents including Bernadette Luketich-Sikaras, John Kraljic, Ron Zivic and the at-large officers are Andrea Novak-Neumann and Carolyn Bruno.

Award to John Mayasich-from Steve Rukavina (Photo: NFCACF)

The afternoon public session featured three distinguished speakers. First, was Joe Foley, 25 year public affairs consultant, giving his “Washington Report” from Congressional Croatian Caucus updates, to State Department and DTT highlights from the past 16 months.

Next, Kara Grgas Goucher, presented about her amazing track and field, cross country and Olympic career.  Kara is a New York Times bestselling author with her book, The Longest Race.  Ambassador Pjer Simunovic, addressed the delegates and special guests with many U.S. and Republic of Croatia Alliance updates and nuanced insights re: NATO, economic developments issues, the Krk LNG terminal  progress and more details about the DTT Treaty.

The NFCACF announced Pittsburgh CAS-HOF  Committee Chair, Matt Furjanic Jr. as the 2024 “Anne Pavlich Volunteer of the Year” award winner.  The Pittsburgh Host Committee was comprised of exceptional volunteers that included Lara Sees, Marty Kajic, Jennifer Belavic, Meghan Matesa Carey and Megan Gustine Foster.

Neda Young was awarded the NFCACF “Legacy Award” which is our lifetime achievement award. This recognition is bestowed upon her to acknowledge her years of service and contribution to worthwhile Croatian causes, all her philanthropy, physician scholarships and her commitment to so many Croatian global projects.

Neda has been a benefactor to the NFCACF for the past seven years and her support has been invaluable. The NFCACF will schedule a New York City event soon to honor our exceptional 2024 Legacy award winner!

On Sunday, October 27th, the final weekend event was Catholic Mass at St. Nicholas Church in Millvale, Pennsylvania, full of all the Maxo Vanka masterpiece murals. It was extraordinarily special to have Father Maurus Dolcic, from Washington, D.C. in Pittsburgh, as the celebrant of this 11:00am Mass. 

Lastly, the NFCACF thanks again Pepsico for their sponorship and we must salute our two Platinum sponsors for the 2024 CAS-HOF event: Josip Grgas (NY) and Dr. Joseph Cindrich (CA). We also thank the 15 silver and bronze sponsors, supporting the CAS-HOF weekend of events.

The NFCACF also applauds all the support and contributions made by the Croatian Fraternal Union, and for the Friday evening welcome reception and by providing beautiful tambura music, both Friday and Saturday.