PROVIDENCE — Former East Providence High School and College of the Holy Cross standout Steve Silva is among the Providence Gridiron Club Class of 2019 Hall of Fame honorees to be inducted at a ceremony held Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Quonset “O” Club in North Kingstown. Silva is joined in being recognized by long-time official Charles Lehourites and activist Frank "Chico" Santos Jr.

Silva, who currently serves as General Manager for Learfield IMG College and its Brown (University) Bears Sports Properties, was one of the most highly decorated Townies ever. Among his high school accolades, he was named USA Today Rhode Island State Player of the Year and Gatorade Rhode Island Player of the Year his senior season in 2000 as well as being chosen several times as an All-State and All-Division performer.

Silva next attended Holy Cross in Worcester where his exploits on the gridiron continued. A two-time team captain, he led the nation with 2,134 all-purpose yards as a senior in 2005 when he was chosen as both the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year and a Division I-AA All-American. He was a finalist that season for the Walter Payton Award, which is given to the top running back in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly D-IAA).

Also, at the Cross, he became the first player in school history to record 2,000 career rushing yards and 1,000 career receiving yards and was the first Crusader ever with touchdowns on a pass, a catch, a rush, a kickoff return and a punt return. He remains among the school’s career leaders in rushing yards, all-purpose yards, rushing touchdowns and points scored.

Silva’s football career extended into the professional ranks where attended rookie camps for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before playing overseas.

Silva next turned to coaching, serving as an assistant at LaSalle Academy and then, in addition to being athletic director, he was head coach Blackstone-Millville Regional High in Massachusetts.

The prime rib dinner begins at 7 p.m. and also includes salad, pasta, vegetables, dessert and coffee. The cost of a ticket is $40 for the meal. For more information or to purchase tickets contact PGC Presisdent Robert P. Izzi at 378-4393 or robert.izzi@aol.com.