The Ann Dinardi Film Project

“Ann Dinardi? She was the only woman I ever met who could curse you out of one

side of her mouth while she blessed you out of the other.”

"Ann was a cross between Mother Teresa and a Drill Sergeant"

"There is no secure ground, no foundation which people may stand if it isn't the family. Ann Dinardi created one in her home for us and other student-athletes while we played basketball at WVU." - Willie Akers & Jerry West

ABOUT ANN

Ann Dinardi, one of 14 children born into a family of Italian dairy farmers, was born in Mount Union, Pennsylvania in 1906. She left her hometown to move to Morgantown, WV. In 1931, she became one of the earliest female graduates of WVU’s School of Pharmacy.

Ann rose to heights of a professional woman at a time when women business owners were few and far between. In 1947, she and her business partner, Mary Angotti, purchased Moore and Parriott Drug Store located on High Street in downtown Morgantown. Miss Ann and her sister, Erlinda, were an “institution” on the WVU campus. Ann welcomed scores of WVU basketball players into her home on Beechurst Avenue while acting as second mothers to these young men. Her dedication to the basketball program and her “Boys” will never be forgotten.

While many stories circulate around Ann's devotion to WVU basketball, Ann was as equally dedicated to her pharmacy "girls" as her basketball "boys." She encouraged and mentored female pharmacy students up until her death in 2003, writing many of them notes of encouragement throughout their days in pharmacy school. An avid supporter of not only athletics but academics, Ann supported a scholarship in her name at the pharmacy school and personally attended every scholarship awards ceremony until her health no longer allowed her to do so.

She was determined that no one would be denied the opportunity to attend college for any reason. In the days before organized scholarships programs, she made gifts directly to the students and would also arrange to find them part-time jobs and provide free meals. In September of 1996 (pictured below) Ann celebrated her 90th birthday with her “Boys”, all of whom spoke that day honoring her and the impact she made on all their lives. Many of the men attributed their lifetime successes to her love and devotion during their formative college years. She passed away in October 2003 at the age of 97.

Front Row (left to right): Rudy Zatezalo, Clayce Kishbaugh, Ann Dinardi, Rod Hundley, Jerry West
2nd Row: Ronnie Retton, Fred Schaus, Paul Miller, Don Vincent, Bucky Bolyrad, Bill Morgan, Buddy Quertinmont

3rd Row: Rick Ray, Howie Schertizinger, Lester Rowe, Tom Lowry, Junius Lewis, Willie Akers, Joe Posch

The Woman Behind WVUs Golden Age of Basketball

"I would have never made It through West Virginia University without Ann Dinardi, a surrogate mother of sorts, who gave me a room in her house and constantly fed me to pack weight on my 160-pound frame. She cussed me when I needed it, and, boy, that was a lot – like the time I fled back home before my freshman year personally convinced that I did not belong in college, and hugged me when I needed, which was probably at the same time. Ann was strong, sassy, Italian." - Jerry West Speech Medal of Freedom Award

--White House December 2019--

ABOUT THE MOVIE

THE STORY OF HOW ONE WOMAN’S LOVE CHANGED THE COURSE OF MANY LIVES.

THE ANN DINARDI PROJECT

HER IMPACT

1950s Morgantown, West Virginia. True life story. A force of nature meets an immovable object as an ahead-of-her-time independent businesswoman, Ann Dinardi, takes in gifted but wild college basketball player, "Hot Rod" Hundley, nurturing him through the ups and downs of his growing stardom. In so doing, these two strangers form the unlikeliest of surrogate mother-son pairs…Beginning the extraordinary legacy of "Ann's Boys" as Miss Ann molded the most vulnerable young men from the poorest, most desperate areas of Appalachia into accomplished men. AND young girls who blossomed into successful professional women at a time when it truly was a man’s world.

The next chapter of HOOSIERS meets the BLIND SIDE.

MEET ANN DINARDI

A STRONG INDEPENDENT WOMAN

Starting in the mid 1950’s, Ann Dinardi opened her house to provide a home-away-from-home for West Virginia University athletes. For many of these young men from the poorest areas of Appalachia, it was their first exposure to indoor plumbing, electricity, healthy meals and academic expectations, as well as unflinching maternal love and guidance. Miss Ann’s house, adjacent to the home court of WVU Mountaineer Basketball, became the cornerstone of the team and foreshadowed a lifelong commitment and devotion that remains undiminished to this day. Our film focuses on the beginning of Miss Ann’s tenure as Surrogate Mother to “Hot Rod” Hundley, as he learned to be the one thing he had never been…a son, living in a real home. As a single woman in her 40s, Ann took her first steps to becoming house mother and mentor to players who went on to achieve pro-athlete greatness & Olympic Gold, as well as successful businessmen and community leaders.

THIS IS THE KIND OF WOMAN SHE WAS…

ALWAYS OUT THERE TO HELP THE COMMUNITY

Miss Ann hosted a slew of players, including “Hot Rod” Hundley, Jerry West, Rod Thorn, Willie Akers, Bobby Joe Smith, Tom Lowry, Don Vincent and Jim Ritchie, in her home. The Honorary Mother to literally hundreds of boys who proudly call themselves “Ann’s Boys”. Each has cited her influence and unconditional love as instrumental in their successes, in both their athletic accomplishments and life achievements. The appeal of this remarkable woman’s story and influence on these young men is poignant, as well as hilarious, madcap and unpredictable. “Hot Rod” Hundley believed that he was destined for a life in prison if not for Miss Ann’s loving intervention. Jerry West said “What I have achieved, and the person I have become, is very much because of what Ann Dinardi gave to me. I have lived all my dreams; without Ann’s encouragement, I believe that my dreams would not have become reality”… a sentiment echoed by many who experienced Ann Dinardi’s generosity.

SHE DEDICATED HER LIFE TO SERVING OTHERS

AND BOY, DID IT SHOW!

We have notebooks full of heartfelt and madcap stories of what Miss Ann did for and with these young athletes that have transcended generations. We have unlimited access and support from Ann’s family, former players and close friends for this project. They continue to provide letters, articles, family photos and interviews to help thread together the amazing influence this remarkable woman had on young men who went on to basketball greatness.

The story of Ann Dinardi shows us a strong, unyielding woman ahead of her time. In the era of "barefoot and pregnant", Ann created an independent life of her own as a self made business woman while at the same time serving as a moral compass and house mother to countless impressionable WVU basketball players. The appeal of this remarkable woman's story and her influence on these young men, as well as countless young women in the community, is poignant, heartwarming and, at times, hilarious.

Teri Fettis D’Ovidio: Producer

Teri D’Ovidio began her career by working on several films with Francis Ford Coppola, including THE OUTSIDERS, COTTON CLUB, GARDENS OF STONE and RUMBLE FISH, culminating with her producing TUCKER: THE MAN AND HIS DREAM for Mr. Coppola and George Lucas. She served as Production Supervisor for Warren Beatty and worked on Steven Spielberg’s first television series, “Amazing Stories”. Ms. D’Ovidio produced AMERICAN RHAPSODY starring Scarlett Johansson, which garnered accolades including Best Picture at the Hollywood Film Festival.

Sharon F. Lee: Producer

Sharon Lee is a WV native, earning her BFA from WVU. After completing her Master’s Degree, she remained on the west coast to begin her career working with notable director Steven Spielberg on his films 1941, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, E.T. and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, followed by STAR TREK, THE MOTION PICTURE with Robert Wise. She then joined with prominent director, Francis Ford Coppola and motion picture legend Gene Kelly on ONE FROM THE HEART. Ms. Lee spent several years as Mr. Kelly’s motion picture development and producing partner.

Alex Tavoularis: Production Designer

Alex Tavoularis is an Academy-Award nominated art director. He designed GODFATHERS I, II and III, as well as BEETHOVEN, PARENT TRAP, AMERICAN RHAPSODY, I LOVE TROUBLE and JADE. His original art work for the movie STAR WARS is on display in The Smithsonian.

Brad Gann: Writer

Brad Gann wrote the successful sports drama INVINCIBLE, starring Mark Wahlberg.

SJ Hodges: Writer

SJ Hodges, a WV native, completed her MFA in Dramatic Writing at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. In 2013, she was named the only female winner of the Humanitas New Voices in TV Award.

Contact Us:
Teri@filiainc.com

Sharon@filiainc.com