Profiling Charles Griffasi : He Says "B●A Sport"
When life takes you into your 80s, maybe it’s time to take a rest, slow it down, perhaps retire, stop doing what you’re doing.

Just don’t tell that to Charles Griffasi.

A Buffalo native and lifelong resident, Griffasi calls North Buffalo home, yet his footprint extends all across the region as he promotes the city’s cultural, academic and sports institutions through many worthwhile endeavors.

He’s been at the helm of the Allentown Village Society; he has spearheaded many events and programs to assist and promote this area’s cultural organizations. Almost singlehandedly, he has fought City Hall to launch one of his most ambitious endeavors, a “Buffalo Cultural Walk of Fame”, enshrining the greatest patrons of the arts in a sidewalk tribute along the cultural corridor located in the Elmwood/Bidwell area. The Common Council formally approved the project in July of 2008, but not without much debate and consternation from other community stakeholders. “Some wanted to place this on the waterfront,” lamented Griffasi. “I mean, what better place to showcase our artists, than right here, close to our world class art galleries and close to Kleinhans Music Hall.” In 2007, eight names were placed on the Walk of Fame, including that of legendary stage actress Katherine Cornell.

Yet one of Griffasi’s signature accomplishments was the founding and launch of the “B-A Sport” program. What is “B-A Sport”? Replies Griffasi, “It is all about bringing sportsmanship and morality together. Just these past two years, we have brought our theme and our logo to over 100 playgrounds and schools throughout Buffalo and Erie County. And we’re not done yet.”

For a five year period beginning in 2000, B-A-Sport set up residence in local area malls, asking people to come in and donate unneeded and unused sports equipment. The project was heavily promoted via the Buffalo media, and the response was overwhelming. “We collected over $350,000 in sports equipment, and a lot of this was practically brand new,” said Griffasi. “We had to get the United Way involved with the distribution of the materials to needy groups. And it was great how all four area malls bought the idea and helped out so much. The program was a big success.”

Since then, B-A-Sport has gone into the public information phase, sharing the concept of good sportsmanship to area youth. The omnipresent B-A-Sport logo adorns many youth facilities, and Griffasi insists that getting the area major sports teams is essential in keeping his concept alive. “I have approached the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres with my idea, and they seem to be with it. Our young people look up their sports heroes, and they need to set an example to how to behave and be good all around citizens.”

Griffasi is heartened by Buffalo’s strong connection with sports, and is full of ideas as to how to capitalize on the community’s passion. One idea he has is to hold an annual All Star Sports Parade. “This area is a good sports town,” said Griffasi. “If we could organize an event similar to the Rose Parade or the Macy’s Parade, that would help put Buffalo on the map and be a big boost to our economy.”

Griffasi would also like to see a themed merchandise store selling souvenirs and apparel of all the major sports teams in North America. And, he wants to take his B-A-Sport program national. “Buffalo could be the capital of the sports world, if we promote it right,” boasts Griffasi.

Erie County Legislature Chairwoman Lynn Marinelli’s district office in north Buffalo is right around the corner from Griffasi’s home, and she counts on Griffasi as being a regular visitor. “Charlie has such a sense of spirit and dedication to his community. I wish I had ten more of him to do things the way he does,” said Marinelli. As a supporter of the B-A Sport concept, Marinelli has taken an active role in its promotion. “Certainly we would love to have the logo and the mission statement of B-A Sport as part of our county facilities and youth programs. What better way to instill a sense of pride in oneself and good sportsmanship. This is a win for everybody, and I commend Charlie for taking a leadership role in this important work.”

Some might think of Griffasi as having too many projects going and too many pie-in-the-sky ideas, but he has an indomitable spirit and a way of getting things done. Becoming very emotional, Griffasi said, “I remember Buffalo in the 30s and 40s, when this was a booming town, when people from Toronto would come here for a big weekend. It’s coming back, slowly, and I won’t be around to see it all when it does, but the greatest gift for my children and grandchildren would be for them to see this city, and our downtown, the way I did when I was young.”