The University of Massachusetts Athletics Department has received a major gift on behalf of the Manganaro Family, committed by UMass alumnus and former Minuteman Paul Manganaro and his brother David.

The gift will support the UMass football program as well as its new Football Performance Center, scheduled for completion in time for the 2014-2015 academic year. In recognition of the family’s donation, UMass Athletics has pledged to name the new coaches offices in the Football Performance Center under the title Manganaro Family Football Office Suite.

Paul Manganaro, who played for the Minutemen from 1982-86, was a part of two Yankee Conference championship teams (1982, 1986), was an All-Yankee Conference linebacker during his junior year and served as a team captain during his senior year.

“After receiving an outstanding education at UMass, it is now time for me to return the sincere and honest commitment given to me by the University and its fine football program,” said Managanaro in a UMass press release.
David Manganaro, a graduate of Providence College, agreed with his brother’s sentiments, but felt another responsibility as a Massachusetts business leader to support the flagship university of the Commonwealth.

“The impact that the game of football has made on my family cannot be understated and as a Massachusetts business leader I strongly believe that supporting our flagship university and its football program is something that will benefit us all in so many ways,” David Manganaro said in the release.

UMass coach Charley Molnar also expressed his gratitude toward the Manganaro family’s gift, which he sees as another example of alumni support for the team’s elevation into the Football Bowl Subdivision.

“I am pleased that Paul continues to be a leader for UMass football long after his time on the field has ended,” Molnar said in the release. “It will be an honor to walk into the Manganaro Family Football Office Suite while we are working on building a program that is nationally recognized for excellence on and off the field. His generous gift demonstrates his gratitude for what this great institution has done for him and his philanthropy sets the bar for other Minutemen to follow … his gift will help provide the next generation of Minutemen the resources to succeed.”

Aside from coaches offices, the new Football Performance Center is also slated to be the new home for UMass football, with offices, locker rooms, meeting rooms, a new strength and conditioning space, athletic training space and the new Martin and Richard Jacobson Press & Skybox Complex. The 55,000 square foot facility is scheduled for completion in time for the return of several home games to McGuirk Stadium in the 2014 season.

Conor Snell can be reached at [email protected].