Canisius College Hoop Star
Buffalo residents were familiar with this team captain of the Cardinal Dougherty High School basketball team and team captain of the Canisius College basketball team and became even more familiar with him as he captained another Buffalo team – as Mayor of the City for three terms.
Tony Masiello was a three year starter at Dougherty, averaging 18 points as a junior and was league scoring champ in 1965 with 21 points per game. He led his team to the Manhattan Cup Championship in 1963, runner-up in 1965, and named MVP that year. He was selected All Catholic and All Western New York in 1965 and named to the All-Tourney team at the prestigious Hoyle Tournament in Pennsylvania. At Canisius College, Masiello helped lead Griffs’ teams to victories over powerhouses such as Georgetown, Seton Hall, St. John’s, Xavier, and Syracuse. He led the team in scoring, rebounding and free throw percentage as a junior and as a senior. He ranks 20th all-time best (as a senior) at Canisius in scoring, netting 35 points in his final game as a collegian against Niagara and Calvin Murphy. Drafted by Indiana of the ABA in 1969, Tony Masiello was voted to the Canisius College Hall of Fame and to the school’s Pre-70’s All-Century Team.
According to many, perhaps his proudest accomplishment was the resurrection and development of the Police Athletic League of Buffalo shortly after his election in 1994. Due to the support of Mayor Masiello, the PAL produced several large family-oriented events, including the Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament.