To really know Sollie Raso, it takes some understanding of the cultural history of Pueblo.
When Raso arrived in 1947 to join the staff at Central High School, Pueblo was blue-collar town. The steel mill at the south end was a focal point of the community because just about everybody knew somebody who worked there.
Residents were friendly and respected hard work. Raso even rolled up his sleeves and worked a couple of summers at the CF&I mill to make extra money.
Raso grew up on Denver’s north side and knew all about hard work. He attended the University of Colorado and played halfback on the football team, followed by 34 combat missions as a gunner on a B-17 in World War II.
He fit right into his new hometown after the war.
“I’ve enjoyed Pueblo,” Raso said, looking back on his career a month after celebrating his 90th birthday. “It’s a family community. We have ethnic groups in different parts of town, but everybody sticks together pretty good. They still support the high school sports programs.”
Raso coached wrestling and football at Pueblo Central. He liked coaching but couldn’t turn down the raise in pay when asked to become the school’s principal. His next stop after that was district athletic director. During his tenure as athletic director, he served on the board of control of the Colorado High School Activities Association and became board president for a term.
“I’ve always had a good relationship with the community,” Raso said. “If I had it to do over again, I probably would have stayed in coaching.”
Right up to his retirement in 1982, Raso was a tireless worker and advocate for high school sports in Colorado. And he didn’t miss an opportunity to keep Pueblo involved.
“We were always trying to get state championship events in Pueblo,” Raso said. “We eventually got the 5A state track meet in 1981, and that was a big accomplishment for me.”
Raso’s Pueblo had charm and character. Coaches and officials made frequent stops at Latronica’s, an Italian restaurant near the mill on East Abriendo Avenue. Lunch at Gus’s Place on Elm Street was and remains a good introduction to Raso’s town.
Runyon Field, Dutch Clark Stadium and District 60 Gymnasium were destinations on Raso’s watch. His office as district athletic director was in the carriage house of the Orman Mansion, a Pueblo landmark.
Raso’s Pueblo also included a strong human connection. Among the notable coaches he worked with were Ed Lesar and Jim Ranson at Pueblo Central, Bill Brown at Pueblo South and Jim Grieve at Pueblo Centennial, all Hall of Fame caliber. Mel Spence at Pueblo East coached against Raso. Ernie Ballotti was a fellow administrator, and Rob Conklin of Denver Public Schools and Tom Falgien of Colorado Springs saw Raso in action on the CHSAA’s board of control.
“Sollie’s a perfectionist,” Ballotti said. “He loved to do state tournaments, and when he did, everything went perfectly.”
Conklin called Raso an “unforgettable guy.” The smile and twinkle in his eyes made it clear that he has a great sense of humor.
“Everybody knows Sollie Raso in Pueblo,” Spence said. “He’s a treasure here.”
Falgien witnessed Raso in action at a Pueblo Central-Colorado Springs Wasson boys basketball game. The crowd was getting excited, and at one point a few spectators appeared ready to rush the floor.
“Sollie went out and told them that if they wanted to go on to the playing floor, they’d have to go through him,” Falgien said. “They went back and sat down.”
Falgien said Raso means so much to Pueblo that, even though Dutch Clark is Pueblo’s all-time sports hero, the stadium should be renamed Raso Stadium. Or at least Clark and Raso should share the honor.
When Raso spoke, people in Pueblo listened.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
Raso bio
Born: Jan. 14, 1922, in Denver
High school: Denver North
College: University of Colorado
Family: Wife Betty Lou (deceased), daughters Debbie and D’Anne, sons Gary and Sollie
Hobby: Keeping in touch with longtime friends
Goal: Live a little longer
