Phil Spartano earned his place in the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame because of his memorable 40-year association with the Utica newspapers. Spartano used his position to tirelessly promote sports activities that benefitted the community.

Born in 1920, Spartano attended local schools. He played football at Proctor High School and graduated in 1939. He started at the newspaper in 1941, working as a part-time sports writer until 1945 when he joined the Utica Daily Press staff full time. In 1958 he transferred to the dayside operations of the Utica Observer-Dispatch; where he worked on the copy desk and sports desk.

He became sports editor of the Daily Press and Sunday Observer-Dispatch in the spring of 1967. His column, "P.S.," became a notable forum for his ideas. He retired in 1980 and was honored by the Sportsman's Athletic Association of Oneida County for his promotion of high school and college sports.

Spartano helped organize the Municipal (MUNY) Baseball League in 1942. He was active in bringing NBA exhibition games to Utica in the' 50's and '60's. In 1966, he initiated a local Tournament of Champions golf tournament to benefit the United Way. For these and many other community activities, he received the highest honor of the Boys and Girls Club of Utica, "The Man and Boy Award," in 1980.