Al Centofante (2009) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Al Centofante

Induction:
2009
Class:
1952

Businessman Al Centofante never said ‘No’ when asked to provide support for his beloved USC or its athletic program. The 1952 graduate of USC’s business school founded Astrophysics Corp., the world’s most successful maker of X-ray security equipment. That allowed him to be generous in his philanthropy to the most important things in his life, which—beyond his family—were education, USC, athletics and Los Angeles. At USC, he endowed the outside linebacker position, provided a yearly challenge grant to Swim With Mike (a scholarship program that benefits physically challenged athletes) and was a life member of the Scholarship Club and Cardinal and Gold (along with his wife, Mary). He also was a presidential member of USC Associates and served on its board. Upon his death on July 7, 2000, at age 75, his 5 children–all USC graduates–each donated $1 million in his name toward the construction of the Galen Center (at the time, it was the largest gift ever received by the USC athletic department). He also was a major donor to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ education foundation and its downtown Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.