Princeton Basketball Receives Generous Gift In Memory Of Ted Athanassiades '61

Ted Athanassiades '61 lived a remarkable life, coming from the prestigious Athens College to attend Princeton University, working his way from entry level to corporate President and philanthropist, and serving the University through many different areas of support. He was also a huge fan of the Tiger athletic teams.

Now, five years after his untimely death, the generosity of his wife Elaine will ensure that his love of Princeton Athletics continues.

Mollie Marcoux Samaan, the Ford Family Director of Athletics, is thrilled to announce a gift from Elaine Athanassiades W61 that will create "The Ted Athanassiades '61 Men's Basketball Assistant Coach Endowed Fund." The fund will be used to support basketball and the naming of an assistant men's coach position.

"What a tremendous privilege it is to accept this gift in the name of Ted," Marcoux Samaan says. "One of the goals of Princeton Athletics is to build community and Ted was such an important part of that community here in Princeton. His support and commitment to the Tigers was a source of joy for him and was part of what makes Princeton Athletics so great. And now this endowment in his name will provide a different type of support that is equally necessary for our sustained success. The financial support of endowments like this one is critical to the department and allows us to continue to build leaders on the court and to continue to build community through our pursuit of competitive excellence. We thank Elaine and her family for this extremely impactful and generous gift."

Ted Athanassiades was born in Athens, Greece, and then attended Princeton and majored in mathematics on a Fulbright Scholarship. After graduation he began a career at MetLife as an actuary, and he would rise through the corporation to become President and a member of the board.

Ted Athanassiades '61 is pictured above with his grandchildren at the 2006 P-Rade

He also spent four years as the director of the Princeton University Investment Company (PRINCO). His loyalty to the University included being a regular at Reunions, serving as a class chair for giving and endowing the Ted and Elaine Athanassiades Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the Hellenic Studies Department.

And of course, there was his love of Princeton Athletics, especially football and basketball. He was such a staunch supporter of the Tigers that family meals, celebrations and trips were often planned around home game schedules. "After family, Princeton was most important for Ted," says Elaine Athanassiades W61. "He would often say 'I would not be what I am if not for Princeton.'"

"The Princeton Women's Basketball program is so appreciative of Mrs. Athanassiades and her family for this extremely generous gift," says Princeton head women's basketball coach Carla Berube. "We understand that as a Tiger himself, Mr. Athanassiades was a huge fan of Princeton Athletics, and we are fortunate to have his support of our programs continue through this thoughtful gift. This gift will help elevate the experience of the current team as well as Tiger student-athletes for many years to come."

"Our staff and players are so appreciative of the Athanassiades gift," says Franklin C. Cappon/Edward G. Green '40 Head Coach Of Men's Basketball Mitch Henderson. "Their contribution will allow us to continue to provide a world-class experience for our student-athletes. We talk about making each other better here, and the Athanassiades family has done that for sure. A strong staff is key to a team's success, so I am thrilled that our Associate Head Coach [Brett MacConnell] will have his position endowed with this gift. We feel so very fortunate to have one of our longtime fans bestow such a thoughtful gift on the team and program."

For information about supporting Princeton Athletics, contact Kellie Staples, Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Advancement at kgale@princeton.edu or 609.258.6696.

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