(October 3, 1919 – June 22, 2003) John Mandic helped Oregon State to a pair of Pacific Coast Conference basketball titles and was the first player to be named to the PCC Northern Division 1st-team in three seasons.
Born in 1919 in Los Angeles, the six-foot, four-inch Mandic came to Corvallis along with his brother Frank to play for Slats Gill. One Beaver teammate was future OSU coach Paul Valenti. The Beavers won the Pacific Coast Conference Northern Division titles in 1940 and ’42. In 1942, Mandic was named All-PCC and All-American. In a thrilling senior-year moment, he hit a buzzer beater to grab victory in a Civil War matchup with Oregon. In his three varsity seasons the Beavers had a combined record of 64-29. Mandic also completed in high jump during track season.
John served in the Army during World War II where he earned many commendations including the Purple Heart.
After his service, Mandic returned to the basketball court. Professional basketball was coming to life across the country. He first signed with the Portland Indians of the short-lived Pacific Coast League. The Indians were the first PCL Champs. Then it was on to the National Basketball League in Rochester and Indianapolis of the Basketball Association of America. John then found himself playing for the Washington Capitols in the very first season of the NBA in 1949-50.
John Mandic returned to Oregon and enjoyed a lengthy career as an officer and supervisor with the State Office of Parole and Probation. John was inducted into the Oregon State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991 and was a lifetime supporter of Beaver athletics.
