A $7.7 million donation from the family of late alumnus and longtime supporter Lawrence “Larry” Layne has given Mick Cronin’s men’s basketball program a major boost in its quest to become a powerhouse like the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Larry Layne’s Multimillion-Dollar Donation to Men’s Basketball Team Part of $17.3 Million Gift to UCLA
Layne’s gift of $17.3 million to UCLA Athletics allocates $7.7 million to men’s basketball and $9.6 million to the football program. These contributions represent the largest portion of Layne’s overall $40.1 million pledge to UCLA Athletics, which supports multiple areas across the university.
BIG DONATION NEWS: UCLA receives $17.3 million from a late donor to support football and men’s basketball https://t.co/PxYT8VRTOJ
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) January 13, 2026
Cronin thanked the family of the late Bruins alumnus for their unwavering support of the athletics department, especially the men’s basketball team. The donation provides resources specifically aimed at enhancing facilities, recruiting efforts, and support services, which the program expects will help it remain competitive with Big Ten Conference rivals.
More importantly, the pledge will further the Bruins’ efforts to recruit top talent and develop athletes. This support is viewed as critical to the team’s ongoing pursuit of its first national title since 1995 and its 12th overall.
“This university has so many fantastic resources for its student-athletes, but we simply would not be able to thrive if not for the generosity of our many loyal donors such as Larry,” Cronin said. “His generous gift will help us in the future as we continue to build a basketball program with elite young men who all of our fans can be proud to support.”
Currently, Cronin’s Bruins are competing in the 2025-26 season with a 3-2 record in the Big Ten and an overall mark of 11-5. The financial boost is expected to improve the team’s facilities and player development programs, providing the current roster with greater opportunities to reach its goals, including a deeper run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament following last year’s second-round finish
UCLA Athletic Director, Football HC, Thank Larry Layne
Similarly, UCLA Athletic Director Marty Jarmond recognized Layne for his commitment to supporting the campus, particularly the athletic department, in which he once competed as a rugby player.
“I am fortunate to have spent time with Larry and get to know his deep passion for UCLA Athletics, particularly his desire to help our football and men’s basketball programs thrive in this new era of collegiate sports. His investment in our programs positions us, and future generations of Bruin athletes, for long-term success,” Jarmond said.
In addition, UCLA football head coach Bob Chesney expressed gratitude to Layne and his widow, Sheelagh Boyd, for their steadfast support of the athletics program. He pledged to honor Layne’s legacy by helping student-athletes achieve both athletic and academic goals while upholding the university’s True Bruin values.
Beyond athletics, other recipients of Layne’s financial support include UCLA Health ($11.4 million for cardiology and hepatology research), the UCLA Anderson School of Management ($5.7 million for entrepreneurial and real estate studies), the men’s rugby team ($3.8 million), and the UCLA Center for the Art of Performance ($1.9 million to enrich curriculum offerings).
