×

Lifelong Big Red supporter Victor Corsi remembered

CORSI

STEUBENVILLE — Suffice it to say, Victor ‘Vic’ Corsi was a fixture at Big Red athletic events.

In the fall, Corsi could be found near the upper admission gate selling 50/50 or game ball tickets before Steubenville High School football games. When winter arrived, he was seated outside the Crimson Center, again raising money to support Big Red programs.

A lifelong city resident, Corsi died peacefully on Aug. 3 at the age of 86. His funeral services were held earlier this week.

As his obituary noted, Corsi was an ardent supporter and die-hard fan of Big Red. He served as president of the Boosters Club on and off for 24 years. He actually was first elected president in 1985 and served in that capacity from 2006-2019.

“I considered him a good friend of mine,” Big Red football coach Reno Saccoccia said. “He always put the interest of the team, the coaching staff and the program before his own interest. For Vic, it was always about other people and how he could help those other people. It was never about him. That’s one thing I truly respected about him.

“He was here before I took over the program and was the president on and off for a long time. Usually, a club president tries to feel important. But, as president, Vic did what everyone else did. He worked tirelessly for the Big Red athletic program. The Boosters Club means a lot to our school, and Vic was a good leader. The club is the key to our athletic programs, and he was the key to the boosters club. We’ll definitely miss him.”

Corsi, who worked for the A&P in Toronto and for Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp., held other officer roles with the booster club when not serving as president. He provided dinners to players and organized bus trips for away games.

“Vic’s loyalty to Big Red was unquestionable,” said Herb Crossland, a longtime member of the Boosters Club’s board of directors. “He faithfully served as president four different times. He was an active president. He was not one to lay back and designate things to other people. He sold 50/50 tickets at football and basketball games. He stayed involved until the last day he was healthy enough — showing up and selling memberships during our preseason sale.

“I feel very comfortable in saying he was beloved. At 86, he was still very active in all aspects of the Big Red athletic program. He did whatever he could to support the kids. He and his wife established a scholarship to help them. In general, Vic was just a good Big Red fan and a very good man.”

Corsi’s obituary said he usually knew all the players and enjoyed hearing of their accomplishments after their high school careers. He particularly enjoyed Legends Night, when seniors from past seasons are honored for their Big Red football accomplishments. Corsi and his late wife, LeeAnn, treated every Big Red kid as part of their family.

“He was just a really good person,” said Bob Fellows, who also serves on the club’s board of directors. “He was always there and always willing to do whatever needed to be done. When you needed something done, all you had to do was ask Vic.

“He definitely will be missed. He gave so much to the Boosters Club and the Big Red athletic program.”

Corsi is survived by his children, Cathy (Craig) Sweeney of Zanesville, Victor “JR” (Kim) Corsi, Jr., of Rhode Island, Michael (Carmen) Corsi, of Virginia; grandchildren, Brad (Lashley) Hess, Eric (Erica Lowe) Hess, Shane Corsi, Tyler Corsi, Dylan Corsi, Giada Corsi, and six great-grandchildren; siblings, Edith Rice, Antoinette “Cookie” (Joe) Gibbons, James “Jimmy” (Joann) Corsi, Margaret “Margie” (Ed) Zamana; and many nieces and nephews.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today