Fresno State Athletics
Former Bulldog: Ledio "Lee" Fanucchi
8/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 17, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - Lee Fanucchi walked into the Athletics Communications office decked out in his most favorite items of clothing. A proud veteran wearing his Air Force hat, a power red polo with the NFL Alumni logo, and an old school FSU Bulldogs belt buckle. As soon as Fanucchi entered he started sharing his stories and he had a lot.
He was excited to be at the office and carried in a box full of pictures, awards and some old football programs from his college and professional years.
Fanucchi was born and raised on a farm in Fresno, Calif. and graduated from Central Union High School in 1949. He attended Fresno Junior College, was recruited by several big name colleges such as USC, but chose to transfer to Fresno State College to further his collegiate football career.
"I'm a home boy, I hated to depart Fresno. This was where I was born and raised and I just said `Well I'm going to go to Fresno State' and that was in 1951."
He got his bachelor's degree in Plant Science i.e. Viticulture and graduated from Fresno State in 1954.
During his stint as a Fresno State football player, Fanucchi played when Ratcliffe stadium was the Bulldogs home field.
"On a good night there could be approximately 10,000 people in the stands, which isn't very much compared to now," Fanucchi said.
The fans were just one difference that Fanucchi talked about while sharing his stories of being a student-athlete in the 1950s.
"Being a student-athlete was different than it is now," Fanucchi continued. "The traveling itself played quite a toll on the players. When we had to compete in Ogdon, Utah we took a train the whole way. It was a weeklong trip just to compete in one game. We missed a lot of school traveling to games."
After playing three strong years at Fresno State, he was getting looks from a lot of professional football teams on the west coast, but ended up getting picked up by the Chicago Cardinals in 1954.
He traveled to Chicago not knowing anyone there or anything about the city. He was showed around by several teammates and found an apartment with three other players. After all three cuts, Fanucchi had made the final team roster.
"With a combination of hard nose practice and constant hustle I became a member of the 33 man team, playing offensive and defensive tackle," said Fanucchi. "And back then pro-players weren't making much money; I only made about $5,000."
In Chicago, Fanucchi's teammates knew him as a farm boy from Fresno. "They told me not to break my neck looking up at the tall buildings because there was nothing that tall in central California," said Fanucchi.
After his one season of professional football he bought an "Olds 88" and drove the entire length of Route 66 from Chicago to Long Beach, Calif. With only a pocketful of change Fanucchi arrived back in Fresno.
Before his professional football season, Fanucchi completed the ROTC training program at Fresno State. When he returned from Chicago he accepted a commission in the USAF. In 1955, he became a navigator where he eventually transitioned to B-47s. In 1962, he transitioned to B-52s stationed in Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota and combined he accumulated 2,500 hours of flying.
"In 1966-67 I attended the Air Force Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Ala., followed by a year in Thailand flying the B-66 electronic reconnaissance aircraft," Fanucchi said. "From 1968-71 I was assigned to the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas as an instructor. Then I followed that with a three year assignment to the Strategic Air Command Headquarters at Offutt AFB, Neb as a staff officer."
In August 1975, Fanucchi was sent to Stuttgart, Germany as a staff officer and brought his family along to do some traveling throughout the continent while they were there.
Fanucchi was in the Air Force for 26 years and retired in September of 1980. During his time in the military, Fanucchi had acquired numerous awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal just to name a few.
After his Air Force career Fanucchi put in time at Fresno State. He was a Master Gardener for the university for 16 years and retired last year in 2010.
This Fresno farm boy is a committed Bulldog and still comes to the football games year after year. He is a big fan and represents Fresno State proudly. Fanucchi loved sharing his stories and memories and could not wait to bring in all his old memorabilia. He thanked Paul Ladwig for allowing him to come in and share his Bulldog experience and life experience.
"We Are Your Team" - The Fresno State Bulldogs open their 2011 season against the California Golden Bears at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sept. 3, 2011. Tickets are available through the Bulldog Ticket Office by calling 559-278-3647 or visiting www.gobulldogs.com. You can always stay connected with Fresno State Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@FSAthletics).
