John played for Southern as a varsity level left tackle in ’48, ’49, & 1950. At age 15, he was the youngest All -Star in the light heavy weight division. John made All Public under his coaches Joe Pitt and Reds Coletta. He also played with Nick Carchidi and Fred Diodati, athletic hall of famers at Southern. Dr. Harry Garfinkel was a linebacker in 1949 and is our Cultural Hall of Fame.
In 1956 Valentino won the South Philadelphia Body Building Contest. In 1958, he won a Mr. Philadelphia Body Building Contest. In ’59 , he was a runner up for Mr. Pennsylvania in the body building contest. John was president of the South Philadelphia Weight Lifting Club , the oldest in the USA with the AAU.