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.
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.