Matt Rizzetta ’05 Pledges Leadership Gift for Iona Baseball, Further Strengthening New Home Field in Bronxville
Iona’s 28-acre Bronxville campus continues to thrive, five years after acquisition
"When our student-athletes step onto the field, I hope they feel a sense of family and a sense of home.”
"When our student-athletes step onto the field, I hope they feel a sense of family and a sense of home.”
BRONXVILLE, N.Y. — The momentum continues to build on Iona University’s Bronxville campus as newly appointed Trustee Matt Rizzetta ’05 has pledged a leadership gift to further strengthen Iona baseball’s new home field. Earlier this summer, Iona also announced that the field will be named Al Zoccolillo Park in honor of the team’s legendary former coach.
“The Iona baseball program has an opportunity to really take the next step and evolve. When our student-athletes step onto the field, I hope they feel a sense of family and a sense of home,” Rizzetta said. “For me, it is a privilege and an honor to be able to give back to the place that provided me with the foundation to do something I always dreamed to do, which was to become an entrepreneur and build a career.”
A Westchester native and second-generation Iona alumnus, Rizzetta has maintained a lifelong connection to his alma mater. Growing up rooting for the Gaels, he would go on to earn a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Iona in 2005.
Today, Rizzetta is founder and managing partner of Underdog Global Partners (UGP), an innovative investment firm that owns and operates sports franchises and sports-related assets. Through UGP, he serves as president and co-owner of top-tier European men’s basketball franchise Napoli Basketball; the Napoli Women’s Basketball franchise; Campobasso Football Club, the Italian soccer club featured in ESPN’s “Running With the Wolves” television series; and various sports real estate development projects across the world. Previously, Rizzetta founded marketing firm North Sixth Agency and served as chairman of North Sixth Group before exiting. Rizzetta has received various accolades, including 2025 AdWeek House honoree and will be among the featured speakers at the 2026 Deutsche Bank Sports Investment Conference.
Earlier this year, Rizzetta was elected to the Iona University Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2026, furthering his commitment to the institution and its future.
For Rizzetta, the project represents a shared belief in the transformative power of education and the potential of the next generation of Gaels.
“We are incredibly grateful for Matt’s support and his belief in the future of Iona baseball,” said Conor Burke, head coach. “Our players are excited about where this program is headed, and support like this helps us continue building a program that our players, alumni and fans can be proud of. It’s an investment in our team today, but even more importantly, in the generations of Gaels who will come after us.”
Rizzetta’s gift comes at a time of remarkable momentum for Iona and its 28-acre Bronxville campus. In recent years, the University has expanded academic offerings, continued to grow its thriving NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences, welcomed students to the newly renovated Bohm residence hall, and expanded opportunities across Division I Athletics, club sports, performing arts and community engagement. The future opening of Al Zoccolillo Park represents another significant step forward, reinforcing Iona’s commitment to investing in facilities and experiences that help students thrive both inside and outside of the classroom.
For Rizzetta, the project represents a shared belief in the transformative power of education and the potential of the next generation of Gaels.
Commending the example of the other alumni who have shaped Iona through their generosity, Rizzetta said it felt like the right time in his career to make an impact. He encourages fellow Gaels to stay connected with the University, noting that philanthropy doesn’t have to wait until the end of one’s career. His volunteer leadership at Iona also includes serving on the Hynes Institute Advisory Board, participating as a Gaels Go Further mentor and previously serving on the Iona Alumni Board of Directors.
“When you come to Iona, you’re not just getting an education, but you’re becoming a part of a community, a family. And the family doesn’t just go away after you get your degree. It’s a family that really stays with you and supports you and does everything possible to put you in a position to achieve your dreams,” he said. “I hope I can inspire alumni, in any way they are able, to give back and support the University that helped us achieve big things.”
“Our players are excited about where this program is headed, and support like this helps us continue building a program that our players, alumni and fans can be proud of."
Rizzetta’s leadership gift will further strengthen Iona baseball’s program and new home field.
"When you come to Iona, you’re not just getting an education, but you’re becoming a part of a community, a family."
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2026, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.