Nick Eyde: The visionary behind the Italian Bowl’s American Dream

By John Mahnen

When Italian football fans tune in to watch the 2025 Italian Bowl, they’ll be witnessing more than just a championship game—they’ll be watching a dream realized. For Nick Eyde, a real estate developer and the man behind the bold idea of bringing Italy’s gridiron championship to Toledo, Ohio, the event is a unique fusion of cultures, a celebration of transatlantic friendships, and a story rooted in both passion and perseverance.

For the second time on American soil, the Italian Bowl has become a symbol of the possibilities that lie at the intersection of sport and international connection. And at the heart of it all stands Eyde, a former defensive back turned quarterback with deep ties to Italy, the game of football, and a vision that few would have dared to pursue. 

From Toledo to the Tiber 

Eyde’s personal journey spans continents, cultures, and careers. A proud descendant of Lebanese heritage, Eyde grew up in East Lansing, Michigan before settling in Toledo, Ohio—a quintessential Midwest city steeped in football tradition. Yet his own playing career would eventually take him far from home and deep into the heart of Europe. 

Following his tenure as “Gustie” at the Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, Eyde suited up for some of the most storied clubs in Italy and Austria, including  Reggio Emilia, Roma Ducks, Bolzano Giants, and Lazio Marines in Italy, as well as Raiders Tirol and the Cineplex Blue Devils in Austria. These years were not just about Xs and Os. They were about building bonds, embracing new cultures, and embedding himself in the European football community. 

During his time with the Lazio Marines, Eyde played alongside Fabio Tortosa, a connection that would prove crucial years later. Tortosa, who has since risen through the ranks of Italian and international football to become Director of Competitions for IFAF, remains a close ally. That long-standing relationship—and Eyde’s broader network within the Italian American football world—would prove invaluable when the idea of hosting the Italian Bowl in Toledo first came to life.  That idea was spawned when Eyde, at the invitation of Raffaello Pellegrini, attended the Italian Bowl in Italy together with former Detroit Lion and Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson.  Pellegrini, and businessman and former player and part-owner of a team in Ferrara worked together with Eyde to make Ferrara and Toledo sister cities.  

Love, Language, and Loyalty 

Eyde’s ties to Italy run deeper than just football. He married an Italian woman, and their bilingual children are living testaments to the blend of cultures that now define his family. His enduring affection for Italy is as much personal as it is professional, and this dual identity—American by birth, Italian at heart—has allowed him to act as a bridge between two very different sporting worlds. For Eyde, athletics are a vehicle for cultural exchange and football isn’t just a game; it’s a tool for building understanding across borders. 

Building the Dream 

The seeds of the Italian Bowl in Toledo were planted with a local television broadcast. Eyde convinced the owners of a Toledo-based media company to begin weekly IFL broadcasts—complete with studio segments and local flavor.  Together with Play-by-Play commentator, Mason Lowry, the IFL Game of the Week is a professionally produced window on a sports world that harkens back to the PBS broadcasts of Soccer Made in Germany in the 70’s and 80’s. 

 The IFL will culminate its fourth season with the Italian Bowl on June 28 and now features none other than Jack Mewhort, former Ohio State and Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman and local sports hero, as an analyst. 

It was a bold play—but it worked. The broadcasts brought Italian football into local living rooms, lending credibility to a sport that was still largely under the radar in the United States. It also showed that there was a genuine appetite for international football content. Most importantly, it laid the foundation for Eyde’s ultimate goal: bringing the Italian Bowl to his hometown. 

With his network of former teammates, league contacts, media allies, and civic supporters, Eyde successfully pitched the idea to FIDAF, the Italian federation. There were understandable reservations. After all, moving the championship outside of Italy was a radical departure from tradition. But Eyde’s deep roots in the Italian football world—along with support from people like Tortosa—helped clear the path. 

A Championship with Global Impact 

The first Italian Bowl in Toledo was a success. Players, coaches, and league officials alike expressed enthusiasm and gratitude for the opportunity to compete on American soil—the very heartland of the sport they love. Interviews with participants for this edition have shown nothing but positivity: awe at the facilities, excitement about the cultural exchange, and pride in showcasing their talents internationally. 

For the players, many of whom grew up idolizing the NFL, it was a dream come true. For the Italian Federation, it was a bold experiment that yielded surprising dividends—including an sponsorship deal linked to economic development in Northwest Ohio. The Italian Bowl had become more than a game—it had become a platform for business, tourism, and cross-cultural collaboration. 

Local Support, Global Vision 

Eyde’s endeavor has drawn support from across the Toledo community. Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz has been a vocal advocate, even participating in the “Mayor’s Challenge,” a skills competition featuring mayors from across the region. Local Italian restaurants have joined the celebration, offering special menus and participating in events that spotlight Italian cuisine and culture. 

Helping to coordinate it all is Pat Nowak, a Toledo events veteran and key organizer. Eyde also counts on the support of figures like Lou Tosi, a respected community leader with deep international ties. Their work channels the spirit of the late Dick Torio, who famously brought world-class freestyle wrestling to Toledo—an initiative that was featured on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. Like Torio before him, Eyde is using sport to elevate Toledo’s global profile. 

A Vision Realized 

The Italian Bowl’s return to Toledo in 2025 is a validation of Nick Eyde’s vision, determination, and network. What began as a dream has grown into a recurring international event with cultural, sporting, and economic impact. Eyde has not only deepened the bonds between Italy and the United States, but also created a lasting model for international sports diplomacy. 

It’s rare to find someone with the ability to connect people, ideas, and institutions across borders—and rarer still to find someone who can execute a dream with such passion and precision. Nick Eyde is that rare person. 

Thanks to his efforts, Italian players now experience the magic of American football in its homeland. And Toledo, once again, finds itself on the map as a city where international sports dreams come true.