This week, Lebanon Sports Buzz is honoring Lou Sorrentino as its ‘Athlete of the Week’. Not so much for what he accomplished in the last seven days, but for what he accomplished in a lifetime.

Not unlike the way ‘Sweet Lou’ was remembered by his alma mater.

Recently, Lebanon Valley College named its most popular athletic facility after its former athletic director, coach and student-athlete. From this week forward, the Flying Dutchmen’s basketball and volleyball palace will be known as ‘Lou Sorrentino Gymnasium’.

It was a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his entire adult life to LVC athletics. Sorrentino was perhaps the most influential figure in the century-long history of Lebanon Valley sports.

Sorrentino, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 78, served as the Flying Dutchmen’s athletic director until his retirement in 2000. Sorrentino coached four sports at Lebanon Valley – football, basketball, baseball and golf – and during one school year headed three different programs.

As a player in the early 1950s, Sorrentino earned an astonishing 12 varsity letters for his participation in three sports.

– Jeff Falk