Gene Rossides

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Gene Rossides
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury of Enforcement and Operations
In office
1969–1973
PresidentRichard Nixon
Personal details
Born(1927-10-23)October 23, 1927
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedMay 16, 2020(2020-05-16) (aged 92)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
RelationsGale Rossides (daughter)
Eleni Rossides (daughter)
EducationColumbia University (BA)

Gene Rossides (October 23, 1927 – May 16, 2020) was an American football player who was drafted by the New York Giants in 1949. He was a lawyer by training, held political office in several administrations, and was the founder of the American Hellenic Institute. For his success in various fields of government, sports, and journalism, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs called him "one of the most emblematic figures of the Greek diaspora."[1]

Early life[edit]

He was born Eugene Telemachus Rossides in Brooklyn, New York on Oct. 23, 1927 to Greek and Cypriot parents.[2] His father died when he was one month old, leaving his mother to support the family.[2] He was a star football player at Erasmus Hall High School, as was his mentor Sid Luckman. Rossides was recruited to follow in Luckman's footsteps as a halfback at Columbia on a scholarship in 1944.[2][3][4]

Football career[edit]

Rossides presided over the Golden Era of Columbia Football from 1945 to 1948 when the program was known as a powerhouse.[5] He entered Columbia College as halfback for Columbia's 1945 team as was nominated to the 1945 College Football All-America Team. He switched to playing quarterback as a junior after being tutored by Sid Luckman. He is most remembered for sealing Columbia's 21–20 victory over Army in October 1947 that snapped the Cadet's 32-game unbeaten streak.[6][7][8] He still holds the school record for scoring during a single game with five touchdowns.[9] He and teammate Leo Kusserow became widely known as the "Goal Dust Twins" and the Columbia quarterback team [10][11]

In 1949, Rossides was drafted by the New York Giants during the 10th round.[2][12] However, he declined to join the team and took up a scholarship to attend Columbia Law School.[3][8]

Political career[edit]

After graduating from law school, he went into public practice. He first served as Assistant Attorney General of New York from 1956 to 1958, Assistant to the Undersecretary of Treasury in the Eisenhower Administration from 1958 to 1961, and as Assistant Secretary of Enforcement and Operations of the U.S. Treasury Department from 1969 to 1973,[13] concurrently serving as the U.S. Representative and Vice President of Interpol.[3][14]

As Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Rossides was in charge of the Customs Service, the Secret Service, the US Mint, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Tariff and Trade Office of Law Enforcement, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and the IRS law enforcement operations.[3] He was also the first American of Greek descent to be confirmed by the US Senate to an Executive Branch office.[15]

Return to private practice[edit]

After leaving the administration, he worked at the law firm Rogers & Wells.[14] He was the publisher of The National Herald, a Greek-American Newspaper, from 1976 to 1979.[15]

In the wake of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Rossides founded the American Hellenic Institute in 1974 and his lobbying contributed to the US arms embargo against Turkey took effect on February 5, 1975, and remained in place until 1978.[15][16]

Personal life[edit]

Rossides died at his home in Washington on Saturday, May 16, 2020.[2] He is survived by his wife, Aphrodite Rossides, his brother, Daniel Rossides, four children, and seven grandchildren.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement on the passing of Eugene Rossides". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Goldstein, Richard (2020-05-18). "Gene Rossides, 92, Dies; Led Columbia to Historic Upset of Army". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  3. ^ a b c d "Gene Rossides, 92, has passed away". Hellenic News of America. 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  4. ^ Sirigos, By Constantine S. "The Last Lion – Cyprus, Greece, Community Mourn Eugene T. Rossides". The National Herald. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  5. ^ Tuite, James (1982-11-20). "A Columbia Football Era Ends at Baker Field". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  6. ^ "GENE ROSSIDES". Columbia University Athletics. 2 October 2008. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  7. ^ "Lions Halt Army Streak, 21-20". Daily News. 1947-10-26. p. 91. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  8. ^ a b "Man in the News; Keating's Quarterback; Eugene Telemachus Rossides". The New York Times. 1964-09-05. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  9. ^ "Columbia Athletics Mourns the Loss of Eugene Rossides '49CC '52LAW". Columbia University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  10. ^ "Echos of The Hudson Valley and Crescent-Shaped Drama". CFA. 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  11. ^ "ESPN Classic - Kusserow led stunning upset of Army". www.espn.com. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  12. ^ "1949 New York Giants Draft". 247Sports. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  13. ^ "Treasury Officials" (PDF). Department of the Interior. March 3, 1971. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  14. ^ a b Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations for 1998: Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifth Congress, First Session, Volume 4. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1997. p. 201.
  15. ^ a b c "American Hellenic Institute founder Eugene Rossides, 92, dies | Kathimerini". www.ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  16. ^ "Architect of U.S. arms embargo on Turkey dies aged 92". Ahval. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
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