University Southern California Trojans
1956 Team MVP & Captain Psaltis Passes Away
November 02, 2010 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 2, 2010
LOS ANGELES--Tony Psaltis, the MVP and team captain of the 1956 USC men's basketball team, died on Saturday (Oct. 30) in Los Angeles of leukemia. He was 76.
A viewing will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 15 at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral (1324 So. Normandie Ave., Los Angeles 90006-4310), with a funeral service at 10 a.m. on Nov. 16 at Saint Sophia.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to USC for use in funding men's basketball scholarships. Donations may be sent c/o Ron Orr, USC Athletic Department, Heritage Hall 203A, Los Angeles, Calif. 90089-0602.
After helping the 1953 USC freshman team post a 17-1 record, Psaltis started as a sophomore on the 1954 Trojan squad that won the Pacific Coast Conference Southern Division title, went 19-14 overall and advanced to the NCAA semifinals.
A 3-year (1954-56) starting guard-forward, Psaltis was known for his ball handling and passing skills.
He was in the military after graduating from USC, then went into private business while also serving as a Trojan assistant men's basketball coach from 1959 to 1966. He was the longtime owner and operator of Guarantee Pest Control Inc.
Psaltis prepped at Mission High in San Francisco, where he was a 2-time All-City performer.
He is survived by sons Spiro (a pitcher at USC from 1979 to 1981) and Arthur and daughter Katherine, as well as 7 grandchildren. All 3 of his children are USC graduates.
