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Boston College has received a gift from Boston College Trustee Karen Izzi Bristing ’84, and her husband Steve Bristing, to endow its head men’s basketball coaching position currently held by Jim Christian.
The largest donation ever made to the men’s basketball program, the gift honors Karen’s parents Clement and Elizabeth Izzi. In particular, the Bristings say, it was Mr. Izzi’s love and enjoyment of basketball that inspired them to make this commitment.
“We are most grateful to the Bristings and Izzis for their devotion and commitment to Boston College and especially our men’s basketball program,” said Director of Athletics Brad Bates. “I believe that in the hands of a talented coach we can make transformational differences in the lives of young people and this gift will assist us in attracting and retaining top coaching talent long into the future.”
Karen Bristing, who has served on the Board of Trustees since 2011, grew up in New Hampshire and graduated from Nashua High School. She is the owner of Equinox Equestrian Center in Sun Valley, California.
“This gift recognizes several areas that are important to us personally and to Boston College,” Bristing said. “The importance of a vibrant athletics program, my enjoyment of athletics as a student, the opportunity to honor my parents – especially my father, who is an avid fan – and the chance to create a family legacy all played a role in our choosing to support a University we love.”
Karen and Steve reside in La Canada, Calif., with their son, Matthew. Karen’s son Andrew is a sophomore at Boston College.
“We are overwhelmed with the support the Bristings and Izzis have shown to our basketball program,” said Christian, who is in his first season as men’s basketball coach. “We are committed to building our basketball program into a consistent winner that makes our students, fans and alumni proud. This will require a commitment from many people, and we are certainly grateful for their generosity.”
The gift also supports Boston College’s Light the World Campaign, which has raised nearly $1.3 billion towards its $1.5 billion goal. “The Clement and Elizabeth Izzi Family Head Men’s Basketball Coach” is the third head coaching endowment, a major priority for athletics during Light the World.
Also included among the funding priorities are endowments in support of key positions on BC’s 31 varsity teams, fully and partially endowed athletics scholarships, and current-use funding through the Flynn Fund and facility enhancements.