Pandel Savic, the quarterback on Ohio State's 1949-50 Rose Bowl-winning team, passed away Tuesday at the age of 92, according to a release.
Savic was born in Macedonia before coming to the United States at the age of nine. Before quarterbacking Ohio State, he served in World War II as a United States Marine in the South Pacific.
Savic was a three-year letterwinner and two-year starter at quarterback under coach Wes Fesler. In his senior season in 1949, Savic threw for 581 yards and six touchdowns to help the Buckeyes earn a share of the Big Ten championship and their first-ever Rose Bowl victory.
A founding member of Muirfield Village Golf Club, Savic went on to serve as the Memorial Tournament's general chairman for more than 30 years.
Remembering Pandel Savic today. Longtime chairman of #theMemorial and one of the founding members at Muirfield Village Golf Club. You will be dearly missed Pandel! https://t.co/ZxhEXyYnQR pic.twitter.com/dB5PH6Qyu9
— #theMemorial (@MemorialGolf) June 12, 2018
“Pandel Savic was as good a friend as I have ever had. I have known Pandel since I was 6 years old, and until his passing this week, he had been a great friend, great supporter, and great family man. He helped to found Muirfield Village Golf Club and the Memorial Tournament," Jack Nicklaus said in a statement.
"We partnered in a number of golf tournaments, and spent a lot of quality time together and shared countless laughs through the years. Pandel was general chairman of the Memorial Tournament for parts of four decades, and he helped build the foundation of the Memorial, and the Tournament we all enjoy and are proud of today."
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, who is also a member of Muirfield Village Golf Club, paid tribute to Savic on Twitter.
Rest In Peace to a great friend and Buckeye, Pandel Savic. A Rose Bowl winner and Muirfield founding member. Thoughts and prayers with your family. pic.twitter.com/UEkpoeHaQR
— Urban Meyer (@OSUCoachMeyer) June 12, 2018
Savic was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.
