First published in the Dec. 1 print issue of the Pasadena Outlook.
The Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation recently announced the elevation of veteran fundraiser and nonprofit leader Dedan Brozino to president of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation.
The Legacy Foundation is the 501(c)3 supporting the preservation, protection and enhancement of the Rose Bowl Stadium as a National Historic Landmark.
Founded in 2010, he is the foundation’s first-ever president. Brozino has held the position of chief development officer of the Rose Bowl Stadium since 2015 and will retain the CDO distinction for the Rose Bowl Operating Company, as well as his new title with the Legacy Foundation.
The Rose Bowl Stadium is completing its Centennial Celebration and Brozino’s leadership as its key fundraiser has proven to be impactful. In his seven-plus years, the foundation has generated more than $42 million in donations and grants from thousands of donors around the country.
The Rose Bowl Stadium recently announced the surpassing of its $40 million centennial fundraising campaign that launched in 2017, led by Brozino and his staff. A new capital campaign is anticipated to launch in 2023 after feasibility and planning by stadium staff.
The $40 million campaign was anchored by the two largest donations in the history of the venue’s storied existence — a $10 million foundational commitment by the Spieker Family in 2017 and a second $10 million commitment as part of the SBA’s Shuttered Venue Operator Grant during the pandemic. Both efforts were led by Brozino. In 2021-22 alone, the foundation was responsible for attracting $13.7 million in public support through state and federal grant awards to further strengthen the iconic stadium’s safety and hardening as it relates to security as a live event venue.
Brozino has also led funding efforts in support of key enhancements around America’s Stadium such as a full replacement of the venue’s water and gas lines, new LED stadium lights, a second videoboard, the addition of a museum and preservation of the Stadium’s two original locker rooms from 1922, and the soon-to-open California High School Football Hall of Fame.
Gifts from the campaign not only supported capital enhancements, but also added key heritage recognition pieces around the property such as statues (Jackie Robinson, 1999 Team USA Women’s World Cup Champions and Keith Jackson) and historical markers (such as stadium architect Myron Hunt and the Home of the Rose Bowl Game) to further deepen the educational experience of visitors to the venerable stadium throughout the year.
The foundation also launched the Rose Bowl Institute educational initiative in 2020, which champions sportsmanship, leadership and citizenship through educational programs, focused dialogues, awards and scholarships. All Institute programming has been kept free of charge to the public due to the multiple private contributions. Since its launch just two years ago, the Rose Bowl Institute has impacted and reached more than 25,000 youth and community members in 33 states and seven countries.
Brozino earned his master’s degree in sport management from Long Beach State University and enjoyed great success in intercollegiate athletics executive administration prior to moving on to the Rose Bowl Stadium in 2015.
He currently resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife and two children.
