On Friday, USC athletics lost a legendary member when Nick Pappas aka "Mr. Trojan" died of natural causes at age 99. Pappas dedicated 59 years of his life to USC, serving as a student-athlete, coach and administrator.
Best known for creating the Trojan Club athletic support group, Pappas left a valued mark at USC when he retired in 1981. A 3-year tailback for coach Howard Jones from 1935-37, Pappas then played professionally with the Hollywood Bears in 1938 and 1939.
In 1939 and 1940 he coached USC's freshmen football teams and then was a Trojan assistant varsity football coach from 1953 to 1956. After that, Pappas built USC's Trojan Club donor group into one of the most successful organizations of its type in the nation. He then served as the associate athletic director in charge of athletic development until 1981.
Pappas was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. He also earned a Purple Heart and Silver Star during his service with the Navy in World War II.
Services are pending. The family suggests donations be made to the USC Nick Pappas Football Scholarship, c/o Ron Orr, USC Athletic Department, Heritage Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90089.
