Nick Pappas, regarded as “Mr. Trojan” because of his 59 years of service at USC as a player, coach and athletic department administrator who was perhaps best known for creating the Trojan Club athletic support group, died on Friday (Oct. 23) of natural causes in Pasadena, Calif. He was 99.
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 90089-0602.
Perhaps nobody has had a longer or more valued association with USC athletics than Pappas.
A 3-year (1935-37) tailback for coach Howard Jones' Trojans (he led the squad in rushing in 1935), Pappas played professionally with the Hollywood Bears in 1938 and 1939.