Ted Pappas was born in Portland, Oregon and grew up in Southern Oregon. He attended Roosevelt Grade School, Hedrick Junior High, Medford Mid-High, and Medford Senior High.

Ted’s athletic accomplishments started at an early age. He participated in football, bas­ketball, track, and baseball while at Roosevelt. His athletic involvement followed him to Jun­ior High where he played football, basketball and track. As a senior wing-back at Medford high School, Ted received All Conference and All State honors and played in the 1972 Shrine All Star Football game. He was selected the 1971-72 Outstanding Athlete of the Year by the KMED Sportscasters Club.

After High School, Ted attended Stanford University on a four-year athletic scholarship. He had an outstanding four years at Stanford and in his senior year as tight end, received more honors. He was named to Churchman’s All American First Team, UPI Honorable Mention All American, UPI and AP All West Coast First Team and Pacific Eight Conference first Team. Ted also was invited to participate in three post season bowl games. During the Blue Gray game, he sustained injury to his knee resulting in surgery. Suiting down for the Hula Bowl but still on crutches, he watched from the sidelines, and he didn’t attend the Tokyo Bowl.

After leaving Stanford University, Ted went on to St. Edmund’s House, Cambridge University, where he played basketball for two years and was an oarsman on the first boat for the St. Edmund’s Crew.