A tradition of sportsmanship: Remembering Robert Blondi

BENTON, IL – (William McPherson – Benton Gazette. Click to read the full story. Here is an excerpt) Robert Dee Blondi (often misspelled as DeBlondi throughout his life), son of Italian immigrants Rose and Dee Blondi, was born in Benton Aug. 22, 1922. Every year during the Benton Invitational Tournament, a prestigious sportsmanship award is given out in Robert Blondi’s honor. “The award came about because of my dad’s involvement in athletics and officiating sports for 50 years,” his son Bobby Blondi added. “He worked Division I basketball, Division II football, Division I baseball and then high school sports all over the state.” “I went with him, starting when I was five,” Bobby added. “I traveled with him and got to referee with him from 1967 to 1974” Bobby said his father always exemplified sportsmanship, and was always talking about, “what a good kid” that various players throughout the region were.