Oct. 26, 2009

(San Francisco) - Since its humble beginnings in 1959, the San Francisco Police Activities League (PAL) has touched the lives of countless youth in the city of San Francisco. Last week, the San Francisco PAL celebrated its 50th anniversary by inducting its inaugural Hall of Fame Class, including four USF Athletic standouts.

Ed Chow (basketball), Gary Delagnes (baseball), Pete Freanceschi, Sr. (football, track & field) and Kevin Restani (basketball) were honored for their careers and the legacy they leave for the next 50 years of PAL. Former San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong, a USF graduate, was also inducted in the inaugural class after more than 30 years of service to the community. Fong was the first woman to lead the San Francisco Police Department, and the first Asian American woman to head a major metropolitan city police force.

Ed Chow: A varsity member of USF Basketball's 1973 squad, Ed Chow played professional basketball in Taiwan on the Overseas Chinese Basketball Team before embarking on a 30 year career with the San Francisco Police Department.

Gary Delagnes: A native San Franciscan, Gary Delagnes grew up playing in the PAL system and now works as a mentor in the program. The president of the San Francisco Police Officer's Association, Delagnes earned a baseball scholarship to USF where he played for the legendary Dante Benedetti. The USF Hall-of-Famer is a key member of the Dante Benedetti Foundation and lends invaluable support to the annual Dante Benedetti Classic at AT&T Park.

Pete Franceschi, Sr.: A member of the USF Athletic Hall of Fame, Pete Franceschi, Sr. was inducted posthumously after decades of service to PAL. A multi-sport athlete and a two-time NCAA gold-medal-winner in the 50 yard dash, Franceschi was named USF's Athlete of the Year in 1946 and played one season of professional football with the original San Francisco 49ers.

Kevin Restani: A star player on one of the best teams in USF history, Kevin Restani grew up playing baseball in PAL, before basketball was offered. A three-time All-West Coast Conference selection, Restani powered the Dons to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. The NBA veteran was inducted into the USF Athletics Hall of Fame and was named a "Legend of the Hilltop".