Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Paul Nigro ’69 studied philosophy at the then-College of Steubenville, where he was a two-time president of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and the philosophy club. After marrying his wife, Patty, a 1971 graduate of the College of Steubenville, he worked as the assistant director of Admissions at his alma mater.
Beginning in 1972, Nigro worked in several sales and marketing positions across Pennsylvania and New England, eventually becoming the managing director of Marketing for First Brands Corp. It was during this time that Nigro developed a passion for youth sports, volunteering as a seventh and eighth-grade basketball coach in Newton, Connecticut.
Nigro only increased his volunteer time after his retirement in 2000, joining the Franciscan University Board of Trustees in 2005. An exceptional communicator, Nigro played an integral role in reconnecting alumni from the 1960s and 1970s with the University, and soon became the driving force behind the campaign to reestablish NCAA athletics at Franciscan. Additionally, he played key roles in establishing the Baron Athletic Fund, the Baron Club Dinner, and the campaign to renovate and expand Finnegan Fieldhouse.
A recipient of the 2011 Rose M. DeFede Faithful Franciscan Award for service to the University, Nigro spoke convincingly on the positive mark his fraternity brothers left on his life, saying, “Their friendship is a lasting reminder that true brotherhood is a bond not measured in weeks, months, or years, but for life.”
After Paul’s death on April 26, 2017, that bond now extends into eternity, as the Franciscan University community joins with Patty in mourning Paul’s loss while celebrating his indelible contributions to Franciscan University athletics.
