A Mario Danelo mural is unveiled at San Pedro High on Monday morning
By Ben Malcolmson
USCRipsIt
PeteCarroll.com
SAN PEDRO — Mario Danelo's legacy lives on, and now there’s an exquisite tribute to the fallen Trojan.
A mural memorializing the USC kicker who tragically died in January 2007 was dedicated Monday morning at San Pedro High, Danelo’s alma mater, during a heartfelt and uplifting ceremony featuring Coach Pete Carroll, the Danelo family and some of Danelo’s former teammates at both USC and San Pedro.
“I don’t think anyone could’ve imagined how much joy has come out of this terrible tragedy,” Carroll said during the ceremony. “This mural is just a beautiful testimony to his life.”
Besides Carroll, Mario’s father Joe and Mario’s former football coach at San Pedro, Mike Walsh, spoke to the crowd of about 150 people. Then, the ceremony moved to see the unveiling of the mural, which was designed by artist Mike Sullivan and rests on a façade of the school on a hill overlooking the harbor.
In a move that seemed instigated by the prankster Danelo, the string intended to pull off the drape covering the mural detached when Carroll and Joe and Emily Danelo yanked on it, causing the crowd to break out in bewildered laughter. A construction lift was brought in and the drape was finally pulled off to reveal the beautiful mural.
Besides Carroll, other Trojans in attendance included: Will Collins, Mark Sanchez, David Buehler, Greg Woidneck, Mike McDonald, Drew Radovich, Zack Heberer, Butch Lewis, Jody Adewale, Joe Houston and Billy O’Malley. Administrative assistant Sam Anno and former punter Tom Malone also attended.
The praises for Danelo and his impact on those around him flowed Monday morning throughout the ceremony:
“This is a day of celebration,” said former Trojan quarterback Paul McDonald, who emceed the event.
“Mario was a special person to this school and this town,” San Pedro High football coach Mike Walsh said.
“He’s been a constant inspiration to us,” said snapper Will Collins, who was one of Danelo’s best friends. “He’s meant more to this team than anyone in a long time.”
“Mario was not just a kicker, he was more than that. He gave us a gift,” Coach Pete Carroll said.
Here are some photos from the ceremony:
Snapper Will Collins speaks at Monday morning’s mural dedication at San Pedro High.
Mario’s father Joe addresses the crowd, with emcee Paul McDonald standing nearby.
Coach Carroll gives a short speech.
Coach Carroll speaks to the crowd at San Pedro High.
(From left to right) Coach Carroll, Paul McDonald, Emily Danelo, Joe Danelo, San Pedro High principal Robert Di Pietro and mural artist Mike Sullivan stand underneath the mural before it is unveiled.
After the unveiling doesn’t go exactly as planned, Joe Danelo, Emily Danelo and Coach Carroll laugh.
The Danelos and Coach Carroll tear off the drape while up in a construction lift.
Emily Danelo, Joe Danelo and Coach Carroll look up at the unveiled mural.
Joe Danelo and artist Mike Sullivan gaze up at the mural.
The final product: a mural memorializing Mario Danelo and his trademark phrase, “Livin’ the dream.”
• Ben Malcolmson is the Director of Online Media for USCRipsIt/PeteCarroll.com. You can contact him at Ben@PeteCarroll.com.
