KENOSHA, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin-Parkside and Parkside Athletics mourns the loss of Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich, who passed away from natural causes at the age of 88 on Aug. 29, 2020. Dr. Rosandich was the first Director of Athletics at UW-Parkside, serving from 1969-72.

While at Parkside, Rosandich developed an athletic program combining intercollegiate, intramural and club sports, with the emphasis on students learning "lifetime sports" which they can enjoy through the years. Rosandich went on to become the Director of Athletics at UW-Milwaukee and referred to his time with the Rangers as "most pleasant and rewarding. You seldom get the chance to put together a total new program and then to implement it, including hiring the whole staff. I consider that at Parkside we gathered one of the finest staffs in the country."

Following his time at Parkside and UWM, Rosandich became the founding President of The United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama. He served as the Academy's president and chief executive officer for 43 years until 2015.

A native of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, Rosandich starred in football and track and field at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he graduated with a degree in physical education and history in 1954.

The memorial service will be broadcast live on Sept. 3 at 4 p.m. Learn more about Rosandich on The United States Sports Academy website.