A native of Utica, Nonnie Pensero was a sparkplug for his teams' success ill basketball at Utica Free Academy, Utica College and in the MUNY League.

Prior to his graduation from UFA in 1953, he played three years of basketball and three years of baseball. He was team captain when UFA won one Central Oneida League basketball championship and later on two MUNY League basketball teams that won city championships.

In 1955, he was the main force on a Utica College basketball team that established the best winning record of 14-4, including two wins over local rival Hamilton College. Although only 5-fcet-8 inches tall, he established a career basketball scoring record in 1957 at UC with 1,169 points. In the same year, he received honorable mention Small College All-American status. He also played two years of college baseball.

After graduation from Utica College in 1959, Pensero worked with youth in varying capacities, including teacher, coach and administrator. He continued to play MUNY League basketball and baseball for several years.

He was director of Utica's Recreation Department from 196R to 1972, and director of the Utica Youth Bureau, 1972 to 1990. He has been actively involved with the Oneida County Coalition of Youth, the Utica Boys Club, and the Utica school board, 1980 to ln5. Pcnsero also served as president and secretary of the Utica Sports Boosters.

He and his wife, Roberta, are the parents of seven children.