(Oct. 3, 1919 – Jun. 22, 2003) John Mandic helped Oregon State to a pair of Pacific Coast Conference titles and was the first player to be named to the PCC Northern Division first-team in three seasons.
Born in 1919 in Los Angeles, Mandic grew to 6-foot-4 and found his way to Corvallis, where he helped the Beavers to PCC Northern Division titles in 1940 and ’42. They lost to the Southern Division champion in both title seasons. In ’42, Mandic was named All-American. In his three varsity seasons the Beavers were a combined 64-29.
Following graduation and World War II, Mandic played professionally with the Portland Indians, the Rochester Royals and then two seasons with three different teams in the Basketball Association of American and NBA from 1948-50.
John Mandic was inducted to the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Oregon State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991.