This post was updated on Nov. 17 at 1 a.m.
Former UCLA Director of Athletics Peter Thomas Dalis, who helped bring the Bruins to first place on the all-time NCAA championships list, died early Saturday morning at his home in Pacific Palisades because of complications from multiple myeloma, according to a statement released by UCLA Athletics. He was 76.
Dalis served as UCLA’s athletic director from 1983 to 2002, during which UCLA won 39 NCAA championships. Those championships came in 14 different sports, and included the school’s most recent men’s basketball title in 1995.
When he retired from his position in June 2002, Dalis ranked first in seniority among Pac-10 athletic directors and UCLA ranked first in athletic national championships, after trailing in that category by 20 NCAA titles when Dalis was hired in 1983.
“For me, Pete was kind of the architect,” said UCLA senior associate athletic director Ken Weiner, who was hired by Dalis to UCLA Athletics in 1992. “He was my mentor, but he was the architect of what modern athletics today is.”
“Pete’s passing is a great loss for the UCLA family,” Athletic Director Dan Guerrero said to the Associated Press. “On a personal note, he was very gracious with his time during my early days as athletic director and I always appreciated it.”
Dalis had been a part of UCLA’s campus, either as a student or an employee, since fall 1955. He served as football team manager during his four undergraduate years, then became the director of UCLA’s Cultural and Recreational Affairs department before becoming the school’s athletic director.
Two of UCLA’s biggest on-campus recreational facilities – the John Wooden Center and the Sunset Canyon Recreation Center – were built during Dalis’ tenure. According to the UCLA Athletics statement, Dalis played an integral role in the planning and construction of both projects.
“That was the time of athletics when everyone was sort of getting into the arms race of buildings and new venues and things like that,” Weiner said. “He understood the landscape of what needed to happen.”
In addition, Dalis oversaw the construction of the J.D. Morgan Center during his time as athletic director. Weiner added that Dalis played a role in the construction of the Acosta Athletic Training Complex and the initial improvements to Pauley Pavilion as well.
According to the UCLA Athletics statement, funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, located at 1324 South Normandie Ave. A viewing will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Compiled by Matthew Joye, Bruin Sports senior staff.