Hall of Fame
Tony was a star both as a Latin track man and football tailback, earning three track letters and two in football. As the team’s fastest sprinter, he ran the 100, 200 and 880 relay. In the 1955 Knights of Columbus track meet at the Cleveland Arena, Tony qualified for the finals in the 50-yard dash, ranking him among the top six sprinters from both the East and West sides of the city. At just 160 pounds and playing on two of Latin’s greatest gridiron teams, Tony was the home run threat that electrified the crowd every time he touched the ball. Playing alongside CL Hall of Famers Bobby Mandato, Ron Toth and Jack Goodrich, Federico scored a touchdown the very first time he touched the ball as a junior. His stunning 17 yards per carry led his undefeated, city-champion 1954 senior squad. He became the ninth member of that powerhouse team to join the Hall of Fame. Other classmates are Tony Dicenzo, Robert Fitzgerald, Pete Pucher, Ron Toth, Don Lawrence, Richard Krebs, Jack Goodrich and Dick Telenk.
Tony attended John Carroll University on a football scholarship. After graduating, he joined the coaching profession and was selected as coach of the year twice - at Chanel (1967) and Richmond Heights (1972).
