Paying tribute to a man who loved the game

By Allie Ward
Family and friends gathered Tuesday, April 27, at Sonny Pittaro field to honor the memory of Earle Rommel, ’67, Rider’s longtime director of University Communications and former sports information director.
Rommel died of cancer on Sept. 3, 2008, at the age of 63. Sonny Pittaro, Rommel’s good friend and Rider’s baseball coach from 1971-2004, recalled how he and Rommel, both Yankees fans, would spend many mornings in the student center discussing baseball.
“Earle loved his job and he was a great supporter of all sports at Rider,” Pittaro said. “I know in his heart, he loved the sport of baseball best of all.”
Also in attendance were Rommel’s wife Benita, President Mordechai Rozanski, athletic director Don Harnum and Steve Rudenstein, the associate director of major gifts, athletic fundraising.
Pittaro helped to unveil a plaque dedicated to Rommel.
“When I retired, President Rozanski humbled and honored me by naming this beautiful ballpark and facility Sonny Pittaro field,” he said. “For as long as this field exists, Earle Rommel’s legacy and image at Rider will live on.”