The University of Rochester Department of Athletics and Recreation will present the 2025-26 Lysle "Spike" Garnish Memorial Citation to John Mattioli, Class of 1979.
 
The citation award is presented periodically to a faculty member, staff member, or an alumnus for their long-time commitment and support of the intercollegiate athletic program. Plaques of all the previous winners hang in the concourse in Edwin Fauver Stadium. The award is named in honor of Lysle "Spike" Garnish, former trainer and assistant coach at Rochester.
 
At the University, John was an outstanding member and captain of the men's basketball team. While with the Yellowjackets, Mattioli competed in 84 games over his career, scoring nearly 600 points while securing over 400 rebounds. Overall, he averaged 6.9 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per contest.
 
He has been a loyal alumnus supporting the men's basketball program, a regular participant and sponsor of the Friends of Rochester Athletics Golf Tournament since its inception in 2008, a Board member of the Friends of Rochester Athletics, and a reunion volunteer. Additionally, he established an Endowment at the University to support the assistant coaching position for men's basketball.
 
In his professional life beyond the River Campus, Mattioli was the owner of Giant Enterprises in Atlanta, GA, where he lives with his wife Theresa '79.  They have four grown children and four grandchildren, and he continues to be a champion for Athletics at the University.
 
Mattioli is slated to be presented his award on Friday, February 6, 2026 at halftime of the men's basketball home game against the University of Chicago. That weekend, URochester will also celebrate 125 years of men's basketball at the University.