The Huntsville Havoc have launched The Captain’s Cause, a limited-edition merchandise collection inspired by team captain Dom Procopio and his Italian American heritage. This collection includes a hat, t-shirt, and soccer jersey, with proceeds benefiting the Italian American Heritage Society, which funds scholarships and promotes Italian culture in Alabama.
Dom Procopio’s Connection to His Heritage
For Dom Procopio, being Italian American is more than just ancestry—it has shaped his values, traditions, and sense of community. Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, he was surrounded by a large Italian American population, where family gatherings, food, and sports played an integral role in everyday life.
Moving to Huntsville, Alabama, Dom found that the Italian American community was smaller, making him more aware of the importance of preserving and sharing cultural traditions. Through this initiative, he hopes to support an organization that helps keep Italian American culture alive in Alabama.
“I’m pretty proud of my heritage. I enjoy trying to promote it and keep the core values of what it means to be an Italian American,” said Procopio.
“Coming from Detroit, where there’s quite a lot of Italian Americans, to Alabama where there are not as many, I think it’s important to give back to an organization that provides scholarships and keeps the culture alive in Alabama.”
The Inspiration Behind the Collection
Each piece in the Captain’s Cause Collection reflects elements of Dom’s Italian roots and personal experiences.
-
The Hat – Designed with green, white, and red stripes to represent the Italian flag, this piece is a simple but bold nod to Dom’s heritage.
-
The Soccer Jersey – Inspired by the Italian National Soccer Team, reflecting Dom’s bond with his family over soccer.
“I’ve always really bonded with my brother and other family members over the Italian National Team… I remember specifically watching Italy win the 2006 World Cup with my brother and family, it was a cool core memory for me.”
-
The T-Shirt – A simple yet meaningful way to celebrate both Havoc hockey and Italian heritage.
For Dom, this collection represents more than just apparel—it’s a way to honor his background and contribute to a cause that supports future generations of Italian Americans.
“Italian heritage is a part of who I am—the way I grew up, the values I have, and how I enjoy the little things like sharing meals and conversations with family and friends. Getting to combine that with my hockey career is something special.”
The Captain’s Cause Collection is now available, with proceeds benefiting scholarships and initiatives that promote Italian American culture in Alabama.