Mario Mazzuca (13 October 1910 – 3 October 1983) was an Italian lawyer, Rugby player, and sports manager.[1] [2]
| Mario Mazzuca | |
| Nationality: | Italian |
| Birth Date: | 13 October 1910 |
| Occupation: | Lawyer |
| Sport: | Rugby |
In the pre-War period, Mazzuca was actively involved in university sports. During this time he was a president of the Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia while also working as a lawyer.[3] [4] Mazzuca would then participate in the founding of Partenope Rugby in the early 1950s and would later assist in founding Club Italia Amatori Rugby in 1974.[5] [6]
Mazzuca was a key member of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) who helped organize the 1960 Summer Olympics.[7] In 1973, Mazzuca would be made extraordinary commissioner, acting president, of the Italian Rugby Federation.[8]
Mazzuca's daughter, Carla Mazzuca Poggiolini, went on to become a leading figure in Italian politics, serving in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Italian Senate. The city of Rome named a large public square in front of Stadio Flaminio after Mazzuca.[9] Mazzuca was placed on a commemorative postage stamp in 2010 to celebrate his contributions to Italian athletics.[10]
Mazzuca was granted the Grand Official Order of Merit of the Italian Republic on 2 June 1965.[11] In 1980 Mazzuca was granted the Golden Star for Sporting Merit.