Former WBB Coach Jerry Zancanelli Passes Away
January 07, 2020 | Women's Basketball
Was the program's second head coach
BOULDER — Gerald "Jerry" Zancanelli, Colorado's second women's basketball head coach, passed away this past Sunday, Jan. 5, at the age of 85.
Zancanelli helped establish the foundation for the Colorado women's basketball program, taking over as head coach following the team's inaugural season in 1975. He spent three years at the helm for the Buffs, ending his tenure with a 40-38 overall record. Zancanelli gave way to Rene Portland before the 1978-79 season. Â
"Jerry's contributions to women's basketball in those early, lean years were considerable," former Colorado Women's Athletic Director Jane Wahl said about Zancanelli. "He was a quality and dedicated individual. He treated our athletes with the greatest respect. The high character of his basketball teams was a credit to the University of Colorado."
A native of Colorado, Zancanelli was born in Boulder on Aug. 13, 1934, and grew up in Louisville. He graduated from Louisville High School in 1952 and attended Colorado A&M (now Colorado State), where he played football and was a member of the ROTC.Â
After graduating from high school, Zancanelli was commissioned as a navigator in the United States Air Force. He worked his way up to the rank of Captain. He later went on to receive his master's degree in mathematics education from the University of Colorado.Â
He began his coaching career in 1960, spending 31 years on the sidelines up to his retirement in 1991. Zancanelli, who also taught throughout the Boulder Valley School District, coached football, basketball and track throughout his career.Â
He is survived by his nephew: Doug Zancanelli, nieces: Jill (Zancanelli) Brown and Joy (Zancanelli) Uhl, great-nieces: Meghan (Zancanelli) Brown and Jayden Brown; and great-nephews: Zachary Zancanelli, Andrew Brown, Dante Uhl, and Michael Thomas. Gerald is proceeded in death by his parents and brother, John Zancanelli.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, Jan. 13, at Sacred Heart of Mary Church, located at 6739 S Boulder Rd., Boulder, Colorado, with a reception to follow. A private burial service will be held.