ALFRED
FORTUGNO (May
25, 1927 –January 9, 2014)
Museum of Polo & Hall of Fame Iglehart Award Recipient 2007
A
great friend of polo, Alfred E. Fortugno, passed away on the evening
of January 9th
after a lengthy illness. He was 86. He was beloved for his boundless
generosity, effusive sense of humor, and his genuine passion for
polo. His love for playing the sport and his dedication to it by
serving in ways to improve and promote it were instrumental in him
being recognized in 2007 with the Philip Iglehart Award which is
given to those who have made outstanding lifetime contributions to
the sport of polo.
His
Iglehart plaque in the Hall of Fame is a testament to that love and
dedication. It reads:
Alfred
“Fred” Fortugno’s passionate participation in and enthusiastic
contributions to the sport of polo have spanned four decades. For
more than 30 years he has served as USPA Eastern Circuit governor and
continues his stewardship of the game by serving on the USPA
Nominating, Constitution and Executive Committees. Fred played in the
1977 U.S. Open Championship and won the Monty Waterbury Cup (1977),
the 26-Goal Sunshine League (1972), 16-Goal (1972), the Delegate’s
Cup, Bronze Cup, National Copper Cup (1977, 1980, 1990) as well as
five Eastern Circuit 12-Goal titles and the Gerald Balding
Tournament. Fred is well-known for his sportsmanship and
encouragement, both here and abroad, through gestures such as
mounting numerous international teams from overseas and lending
horses to the players at Brandywine to keep polo going there after a
tragic fire killed many ponies. In addition to raising three sons who
are accomplished players, Fred is always ready with a kind word of
encouragement, a steady horse or a sympathetic ear after a win or a
loss. Generations of players credit Fred for starting, mentoring and
sustaining their interest in polo.
Play
on Freddie – you will be missed by all.