Daniel J. Riccio Jr. ‘86, ‘24MS and his wife, Diane M. (Casey) Riccio, Ph.D., made a commitment to support the football program through the Script U Scholarship Society, which funds student-athlete scholarships and additional financial benefits. Riccio is a former leader and innovator at Apple, and the University called the gift a transformational investment in the program’s pursuit of sustained athletic excellence.
“We’re so grateful to the Riccios for their transformational gift,” UMass Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford said in a statement. “Dan has challenged us to think bigger and align our level of investment with our growing aspirations.
“This $3 million commitment will have a meaningful impact on the Massachusetts Football program, strengthening our ability to build a championship-level program immediately. It also reflects a powerful belief in the future of UMass Football and an investment in the people and resources that will drive success across our athletics department.”
“Diane and I are pleased to support UMass Football at a pivotal time for the program and UMass,” Dan Riccio said in a statement. “Our commitment is an investment in the strategy that Ryan Bamford and Joe Harasymiak have established to change the culture and trajectory of Massachusetts Football.
“We are investing now, and encouraging others to do the same, so that we may realize our full potential. The momentum and foundation for success taking hold this season is just the beginning.”
The Riccios are among the University’s most significant donors. They previously gave $50 million to the College of Engineering to fuel innovative research, strengthen academic excellence and expand access and opportunity for engineering students, and $15 million to UMass Chan Medical School to support advances in neuroscience research.
The Script U Scholarship Society was launched in 2025 to help the department recruit, retain and develop student-athletes amid the evolving demands of NCAA Division I athletics. According to the release, Massachusetts Athletics increased its scholarship and additional financial benefits budget by more than $7 million and enters the society’s second year focused on sustaining academic and competitive success through continued donor support.
Riccio holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering from UMass Amherst. He has served on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Engineering since 2023, received the College of Engineering Outstanding Alumni Award in April 2025 and was honored with the UMass Amherst Distinguished Achievement Award in May 2025.
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