UMass Lowell - GoRiverHawks:

(1977) - As an undergraduate at Lowell Textile (1932-36), Lou Athanas earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. A superior basketball star, Athanas led the country in scoring with 417 points in 22 games in 1935-36. So outstanding were his skills, that at various times he would score as many points as the entire opposing team. In football, he was a standout passer and a top-notch runner. Athanas excelled, as well, in baseball with his talents making him a fine hitter and a competent base stealer.

Athanas' coaching experience consisted of two years as the football backfield coach at his alma mater and a stint as an assistant basketball coach at Lowell High School during a State Championship season.

He played semi-pro football with the Lowell Pros in the New England League and professional football with the Providence (RI) Steamrollers. In basketball, Athanas played with many semi-pro teams throughout New England and professional basketball with the Boston Goodwins in the Boston Garden. he signed a contract to play professional baseball with the Boston Bees (Braves) before developing a sore arm. He was chosen and played in the United States baseball team in he Pan-American games, also known as the Little World Series in Havana, Cuba.

Athanas served four years with the US Marines during World War II attaining the rank of Sergeant while playing and being captain of both basketball and baseball marine teams in Washington, DC. He served as a baseball scout for the St. Louis Browns, New York Giants, and the Philadelphia Phillies.