Emilio (Ernesto) Sala Rosa was born in Suzzara (Mantua) on 22 October 1894. Enrolled in the two-year preparatory course in Engineering at the University of Bologna in the academic year 1915-16, he took part in the First World War as a second lieutenant in the 6th Alpine Regiment (Sette Comuni Battalion). He died in Bassano del Grappa (Vicenza) on 4 December 1917, in recognition of which he was posthumously awarded the Silver Medal for Military Valour and an honorary degree in Engineering on 9 January 1919. Mario Cordara and Aldo Brivio, both university students and members of Bologna FC, shared Emilio's fate on the battlefields: “fallen for the homeland”.
A defender in the Bologna of the pioneering era, Sala Rosa stood out for his courage, versatility and tireless spirit: he would make his way to join the team even from the front, simply in order to play. One of his last letters from the front, addressed to “Angiolino” Badini, captain of Bologna, closes with a mention of club official Alberto Niccolai — a letter that reveals, in full, the humanity, camaraderie and friendship of those young men, torn too soon from their lives and from those they loved. He made 21 appearances and scored 1 goal in red and blue in the Championship between 1912 and 1915.
CAPTIONS
1 - Bologna FC line-up in the 1914-15 season.
2 - Sala Rosa in his Alpine uniform.
3 - Letter from Sala Rosa to his friend and teammate Angelo Badini.
4 - Card with information about Sala Rosa for the roll of honour of those who died in the war.