“Gambling is not a problem at Albion, but it’s a hot topic right now in sports,” said assistant athletic director Lisa Roschek, explaining why the Athletics department invited former mobster Michael Franzese (above) to speak at Albion.  Roschek continued, “Franzese’s involvement with gambling and racketeering was a really strong message, but not preachy or self-righteous.”

Athletics Picks a Winner
Former Cosa Nostra Captain Michael Franzese Cautions Students About Gambling
January 31, 2006

Story and photos by Ben Evans, ’08

Despite airline delays that caused him to be an hour late, former mobster Michael Franzese drew a substantial crowd to Albion College’s Goodrich Chapel January 30. Nearly 300 were in attendance to hear details of Franzese's past and his views on sports and gambling.

At the peak of his Mob career, Franzese was making upwards of six to eight million dollars a week, involving himself in substantial gas tax embezzlement and racketeering schemes as well as fixed gambling.  Franzese's wife, however, eventually persuaded him to quit the Mob, and after serving seven years in jail, Franzese embarked on his current career as an inspirational speaker and anti-gambling activist.

Much of Franzese’s talk focused on the threat of gambling in multiple forms. “In my lifetime…I’ve seen more people…become addicted to gambling than drugs or alcohol,” said Franzese. Out of the 300 students present in Goodrich Chapel that night, Franzese suggested, 50 gambled on a regular basis.

Franzese attacked everything from fraternity or student organization-run poker tournaments (which, he pointed out, are illegal whenever they require a buy-in) to internet gambling, an enterprise that Franzese emphasized is illegal in the United States, which results in most gambling sites being run offshore by criminal organizations. “Gambling is a business, a very serious business,” said Franzese.

At the end of his presentation, Franzese stressed the need for those with gambling problems and addictions to seek help, submitting himself as a knowledgeable and impartial resource. “If you’ve got a problem, I want to help you out,” offered Franzese. For more information, visit www.michaelfranzese.com.