2000 Hall of Fame Inductee

Salvatore 'Sal' Corona &endash; Chico, CA

Soccer &endash; 1969, 1970

Sal Corona was a member of the 1969 and 1970 Chico State Varsity Soccer Teams that won back to back NCAA College Division Regional Championships. He was one the early players in the soccer program that set the winning standard and made a tremendous contribution to Chico State Soccer.

Sal was chosen by his teammates as the Most Valuable Player for the 1970 season. He was also selected to the All-Northern California Soccer Conference First Team, West Coast All American team, and made to the final round of selection before being cut from the United States Olympic Team. After graduation and over a ten-year period Sal played semi-pro soccer for the San Francisco league; Vikings, Sons of Italy, and Italian Athletic Club. His teams won 5 San Francisco League Championships, 3 Northern California State Cups, 1 California State Cup, and 1 U.S. Open Cup championship (National Champions for all levels including professional). Sal is still an active player at age 52 and has won the over 30 Championships on 6 occasions.

Sal Corona's record of service to the University, and the Chico Community is equally as outstanding. He was an active member of Block C Society form 1969-1970. He completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education, and he has spent several successful years coaching girl's soccer in the Chico youth soccer league. He is also an active member of his church.

Since graduating from Chico State, and for the past 22 years, Sal corona has successfully owned and operated an Italian Restaurant in Chico.