After earning 10 letters at East High School, Hall of Fame inductee Dominic J. DelSignore decided to continue his academic and athletic career at Youngstown College.
Graduating from East in 1953, DelSignore joined Dike Beede's football team in the fall of that same year.
DelSignore was an anchor on Beede's offensive line for four seasons (1953-56) and helped lead the Penguins to a four-year record of 22-12.
A two-time all-city selection while at East (1951-52), DelSignore capped his intercollegiate athletic career with an outstanding senior campaign. After starting for three seasons at end, DelSignore switched to quarterback at the beginning of the 1956 campaign after graduation and a service call depleted the Penguins of their returning signal callers. As quarterback, DelSignore completed 2-of-8 passes for 41 yards.
DelSignore moved back to end later in the season and tied for second on the team with nine receptions for 195 yards and one touchdown.
In the next to last game, DelSignore turned in one of the best performances of his career. The Youngstown, Ohio, native caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Jerry Cox, then blocked a punt that led to a Penguin touchdown as Youngstown College defeated Marshall, 33-13.
He was an all-around football player, starting on the defensive line for four seasons and returning kickoffs and punts as well. DelSignore finished his senior campaign with a 36.4 yard punting average and returned six kickoffs for 91 yards.
DelSignore earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and in 1963 joined Columbus Service International based in New Castle, Pa. As vice president he worked with many retail accounts, such as Sears and J.C. Penney, and universities, like Kent State and Western Illinois.
In 1971, Columbus purchased a guard/janitorial service company and he was transferred to Chicago, Ill., to head up operations. Beginning with $1.8 million in sales, DelSignore almost doubled the firm's sales at $3 million before opting to start his own business.
DelSignore established Imperial Service Systems in 1973. Over the next 23 years, he built an organization that has grown tremendously. The corporate office houses more than 40 employees, including management and staff, while the janitorial work force is growing beyond 900.
DelSignore is Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Imperial Service Systems, Inc., and resides in St. Petersburg, Fla., with his wife, Nancy.
