Providence, R.I.--Judge Frank Caprio was laid to rest yesterday with a funeral mass at St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral in a ceremony befitting of his life. A life that is well-documented and filled with kindness, education and appreciation. 

It is well-known that this international celebrity started off as a high school teacher and coach. He truly valued and always gave credit, not only to his parents, but to the value and the foundation that athletics, most notably wrestling, which helped carry him though life.

Almost 25 years ago, RIC Athletics was really struggling to build the award-winning program that it has to day. Most importantly, it lacked resources, despite the new athletic administration's plans and vision for new fundraising initiatives. 

In a meeting with then President John Nazarian, Vice-President of Student Affairs Dr. Gary Penfield and Director of Athletics Don Tencher, it was agreed that the college needed an infusion of funding and the way to do it would be an athletic fee. 

The fee was discussed with Judge Caprio, who was the Chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education (RIBGHE) at the time. From the outset,  Judge Caprio, knowing that the values he had carried with him throughout life were established through athletics, was totally supportive of the new initiative. Despite roadblocks in establishing this new idea, he, like a great quarterback, led the process and was quick to say when the source of revenue was established that the benefits would provide a lifetime of value for everyone. 

Tencher, who worked closely with Judge Caprio, stated, "Despite continued resource issues, there is no doubt that the intercollegiate athletic program of today would not exist without Judge Caprio carrying that athletic fee over the goal line. He was a man of great integrity and really held dear those life experiences that set the standard of his life, with athletics playing a major role. Both myself and RIC Athletics will always be thankful for his vision."