—

Sad, sad news today out of Bethlehem. Mario Donnangelo, a Bethlehem resident and a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, passed away this morning at his Bethlehem home. His age is not known at this writing. He was 71.

However, this much is known: Donnangelo was a superior soccer official who played a large role in the sport’s growth in Pennsylvania during the 1980s, landing him spots in not only the National Soccer Hall of Fame, but the National Federation of State High School Association’s Hall of Fame as well.

Donnangelo was inducted into the soccer hall in 1985 and the NFHS hall in 2000. He received numerous other local, state and national honors and was the PIAA’s state soccer rules interpreter for years.

But Mario was also an engaging personality whose unofficial title was ambassador to Bethlehem’s restaurants. He crowed about the best places to eat in Bethlehem to anyone who would listen, and that was just about everyone, even if they never visited Bethlehem.

Donnaneglo stayed active with PIAA after retirement, even handing out updated brackets to a worn media following a round of the PIAA Wrestling Championships.

Mario was a great guy and a great presence in PIAA sports. He will be missed.