Matt Mazza

Matthew Anthony Mazza, Sr.


Born:
September 23, 1923
Niagara Falls, NY

Died:
June 11, 2003
Lewiston, NY


Career
Trott Vocational High School - Niagara Falls, NY (High School)
1943-44 Canisius College - New York (College)
1944-45 Canisius College - New York (College)
1944-45 Merritton Thorold - Toronto (Independent)
1945-46 Michigan State University (College)
1946-47 Michigan State University (College)
1947-48 East Side Merchants - Michigan (Independent)
1948-49 Rochester Whiting Supers (Independent)
1949-50 Sheboygan Redskins (NBA)
1950-51 Niagara Falls (Independent)
1951-52 Ray's All-Stars (Amateur)
1952-53 Matt Mazza All-Stars (Independent)
1952-53 Niagara Falls Wolke All-Stars (Independent)
1953-54 University of Buffalo (College) Head coach - freshmen team
1954-55 University of Buffalo (College) Head coach - freshmen team
1955-56 University of Buffalo (College) Head coach - freshmen team
1955-56 Rochester All-Stars (Amateur)
1956-57 Trott Vocational High School - Niagara Falls, NY (High School) Head coach
1957-58 Trott Vocational High School - Niagara Falls, NY (High School) Head coach
1958-59 Trott Vocational High School - Niagara Falls, NY (High School) Head coach
1959-60 Trott Vocational High School - Niagara Falls, NY (High School) Head coach
1960-61 Trott Vocational High School - Niagara Falls, NY (High School) Head coach
1961-62 Trott Vocational High School - Niagara Falls, NY (High School) Head coach
1962-63 Trott Vocational High School - Niagara Falls, NY (High School) Head coach
1963-64 La Salle High School - Niagara Falls, NY (High School) Head coach

Mazza graduated from Trott and went to Canisius where he played both football and basketball. While at Canisius, Mazza and teammate Joe Rodriguez snuck to Toronto to play with independent professional basketball team Merritton Thorold, but both were caught and kicked off the team. He then moved to Michigan State to go to school. After MSU, he played for various amateur and professional outfits in upstate New York. Mazza tried out for the NBA's Syracuse Nationals in October of 1949, but did not make the team. He signed with the Sheboygan Redskins on November 8, 1949. After a couple dozen of games for Sheboygan, he returned to New York, playing and coaching in Niagara Falls and the surrounding area.

His brother, Vince, played football in the NFL.

He married Joan Ferro (1921-1975) and they had a son and two daughters. Widowed, he remarried to Barbara Ford.

Source:
Olean Times Herald - January 29, 1945
http://www.uticaod.com/x1314135832/Packers-Starks-has-good-bloodlines

Obituary, Buffalo News, June 13, 2003

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mazzama01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mazzama01