$10M Mazzone Gift Boosts UCLA Football Revival

UCLA alumnus and longtime supporter Angelo Mazzone III has committed $10 million to UCLA's football program, which he has devotedly followed for almost 60 years. The gift will endow the UCLA head coach position and strengthen key areas that advance student-athlete success, helping UCLA remain competitive in a rapidly evolving football landscape.

This planned gift adds to decades of support from Mazzone, who earned his bachelor's degree and J.D. from UCLA. He made his first gift in 1977. In 2023, he pledged $1 million to UCLA Athletics' Then Now and Forever Fund. This recent $10 million will create the Angelo M. Mazzone III UCLA Head Football Coach Endowment — highlighting his commitment to the future of collegiate athletics.

This endowment will enable UCLA to:

• Provide sustained resources to support UCLA football's head coaching position and to maintain the broader infrastructure needed to compete at the highest level.
• Strengthen key areas that directly impact student-athlete success, including academics, health and performance, and the overall program experience.
• Enhance its ability to attract and retain top coaching talent.
• Position UCLA football for continued success in an increasingly competitive national landscape.

Gratitude from UCLA

Courtesy of Angelo Mazzone

From left: Winston Doby, Terry Donahue, Angelo Mazzone and Peter Dalis

Reflecting on the impact this gift will have, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk said, "Angelo's extraordinary commitment reflects the deep connections so many Bruins feel to this university and to the role athletics plays in our community. His generosity will help ensure that our student-athletes have the support and resources they need to succeed — on the field, in the classroom, and in life. We are deeply grateful for his enduring belief in UCLA and its future."

Martin Jarmond, UCLA's Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics, said: "On behalf of UCLA Athletics, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Angelo for this extraordinary commitment to our football program. Angelo has been a champion of UCLA football and a fixture on the sidelines for nearly six decades. This generous gift strengthens the foundation of our program, not only for the Bruins of today, but also for future generations."

UCLA head football coach Bob Chesney also expressed appreciation "for Angelo's remarkable support" of UCLA football. "A gift of this magnitude from such a dedicated, impactful and cherished member of the Bruin family is deeply humbling," he said. "Angelo's commitment reflects an unwavering belief in what this program stands for. We will work every day to honor that trust. We can't thank him enough for investing in the future of our student-athletes and the success of UCLA football."

Championing a championship team

Courtesy of Angelo Mazzone

From left: Gary Adams, Mike Scioscia, Angelo Mazzone, Zev Yaroslavsky, Jeff Moorad, Nan Wooden, Vin Scully and Joe Torre stand behind John Wooden, who is seated.

This investment builds on UCLA football's long tradition of excellence, which includes a national championship in 1954 and a history of producing numerous NFL players, draft picks and standout athletes.

Now, as college football undergoes a massive transformation — driven by the College Football Playoff, conference realignment, the evolution of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), and the transfer portal — private philanthropy is more critical than ever to provide UCLA the resources to meet these new challenges.

More than a fan

Chicago native Mazzone came to Los Angeles in 1968 to be UCLA's football manager, after filling the same role at his high school. The UCLA appointment came with a four-year, out-of-state scholarship. He then attended UCLA Law while also serving as assistant athletic director under J.D. Morgan. The youngest assistant director of athletics at a major Division I program, Mazzone was later promoted to associate athletic director, supervising 14 coaches.

Courtesy of Angelo Mazzone

Mazzone at UCLA

In 1982, Mazzone left UCLA to pursue business ventures, some of which became highly successful. Meanwhile, he continued to attend every game, often traveling with the team. Today, he says he has never skipped a home game and has missed only 10 away games in almost six decades.

"UCLA has been responsible for all the greatest things that have happened in my life," he says, "and much of what I have accomplished is going right back there. I am indebted to the relationships I've enjoyed with so many very special people as part of the UCLA football family. UCLA was always going to get a good share of my estate. My heart has always been there."

Asked what he hopes this legacy will mean, Mazzone said: "That UCLA will excel and that others will be inspired to invest in the mission of UCLA Athletics and UCLA football. Our student-athletes need resources to thrive in pursuit of their academic, personal and athletic goals."