The athletic department at UConn received a second significant financial commitment this month, announcing Thursday a $1.5 million pledge from 1987 alum Tony Rizza.

Rizza, who played soccer at UConn, is making the gift to provide “vital support and flexible resources to the department's pursuit of sustained excellence across all of UConn's athletic programs,” according to a school news release.

It follows a $15 million gift from Robert and Stefanie Skinner, whose $15 million commitment was announced April 2.

While the contribution from the Skinners will fund four specific initiatives, the funds from Rizza can be used to cover top priorities in the athletic department.

"There is incredible momentum across UConn Athletics right now and seeing both our men's and women's basketball teams reach the Final Four in this year's NCAA Tournament underscores what's possible here," Rizza said. "The continued growth across programs is a reflection of the strong leadership under [athletic director] David Benedict and a clear vision of what's required to continue competing at the highest level. I'm proud to join the Skinners to contribute in a way that helps sustain that level of excellence."

This is the latest contribution from Rizza to UConn athletics. He donated $10 million toward the new Morrone Stadium and the performance center that opened five years ago. The Joseph J. Morrone Stadium at Rizza Performance Center is home for the Huskies’ baseball, softball, women’s lacrosse, and men's and women's soccer programs.

"Tony Rizza exemplifies what it means to be a Husky for life," Benedict said. "His generosity has already helped transform the physical landscape of UConn Athletics in profound ways, and this latest commitment reflects his trust in our leadership and our vision for the future.”

The gift from the Skinners, both from the Class of 1993, is earmarked four ways: a $10 million endowed fund to support the head coaches of the men’s and women’s basketball teams; $1.5 million to be used to address the most immediate needs; $1 million toward construction of the UConn Golf Facility; and $2.5 million toward support for the UConn football, baseball, and men’s soccer and hockey teams.

The $10 million endowed fund is planned to be divided equally between the men’s and women’s teams to establish the Jim Calhoun and Dan Hurley Endowed Fund for the men's program and the Geno Auriemma Endowed Fund for the women's program.

“This endowment will provide long-term, sustained resources to attract and retain elite coaching leadership — ensuring that UConn Basketball remains among the premier programs in the nation for generations to come,” UConn said in a news release earlier this month.

Other donors are asked to contribute to further build the endowment.

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