North Providence Celebrates Hometown Legend Ernie DiGregorio - Ernie D Park Dedication

Former 1970s Providence College basketball star Ernie
DiGregorio can still draw a crowd more than 50 years after his college playing days.
On June 15, 2024, more than than 300 spectators crowded Millar-Waite-Evans Memorial Park in North Providence, RI to honor hometown native DiGregorio.
The park on Smith Street near the intersection with Fruit Hill Avenue was renamed the "Ernie DiGregorio Sports Complex at Evans." The two-hour ceremony was a Ernie D love fest with speakers and spectators reliving DiGregorio's most memorable shots, behind-the-back passes and Providence college hoop games.
The basketball courts at the sports complex were where a young DiGregorio practiced and played in summer basketball leagues. He helped North Providence High School win the Class B state championship in 1968.
DiGregorio wasn't the only honoree at the Smith Street park on June 15th.
Town officials re-dedicated the park's two basketball courts in honor of the late Herbert "Herbie" Swenson and Charles "Chuckie" Ruggerio, two North Providence youths, who had died in the 1960s. A bronze plaque for each youth will adorn adjacent
courts.
"My brother was the best," said Dominick Ruggerio, 75, Chuckie Ruggerio's brother and President of the Rhode Island state Senate, since March of 2017.
"He was a great kid," said Rob Swenson, 75, younger brother of Herbie. Rob Swensin was unable to attend the dedication ceremony because of health problems.
His wife, Norma, attended the event.
DiGregorio sat next to the podium juggling a basketball. Nearly 45 minutes of speakers talked about DiGregorio's high school, college and professional basketball feats and the positive influence he's been to North Providence and Rhode Island residents.
After the speeches town officials unveiled the park's new sign - The Ernie DiGregorio Sports Complex at Evans. Spectators and former basketball teammates applauded and later posed for pictures in front of the park sign. Most spectators were unaware DiGregorio's last name was misspelled. (The spelling error was corrected the following day) DiGregorio and teammates Marvin Barnes, Kevin Stacom, Nehru King, Fran Costello and Charlie Crawford led Providence College to the NCAA Final Four in 1973. DiGregorio averaged 20.5 points per game and a program-record 7.7 assists per game over his three-year PC career. (Insert 2:13)
DiGregorio thanked his family and friends for attending the event before listing the coaches who helped develop his basketball game and who had a positive influence on his life. DiGregorio praised his former Providence College coach Dave Gavitt and high school basketball coach David Turbridy. Turbridy died July 4, 2023, at age 79.
DiGregorio recently released his autobiography "A Star with a Broken Heart." The book's primary theme is his relationship with former PC teammate Marvin Barnes and his PC coach Gavitt.