Anthony Guy "Tony" Sardisco was an American football guard/linebacker. Tulane: 1952-1955 Sardisco played guard and linebacker for the Green Wave teams of 1952-55. He served as team captain his senior season, leading Tulane to a 5-4-1 mark that year, including an upset win over eighth-ranked Alabama and a 13-13 season-ending tie with LSU. Sardisco was a two-time All-Southeastern Conference choice at guard during his years at Tulane and was named a first team All-American by the Football Writer's Association of America in 1955. Following his senior season, he played in the Blue-Gray Game, the Senior Bowl and the Chicago College All-Star Game, and was named outstanding lineman in the Blue-Gray game after making 14 unassisted tackles. In 1956, he graduated Tulane with a bachelor's degree in psychology. San Francisco 49ers / Washington Redskins: 1956 He played in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins in 1956. He was selected in the sixth round of the 1956 NFL draft as an offensive guard for the San Francisco 49ers, where his first contract was for $7,500 with a $250 bonus. After 10 games, he was traded to the Washington Redskins, where he finished the season. His positions were linebacker and guard, and he wore number 64 Air Force: 1957-58 His professional football career was then interrupted when he served in the U.S. Air Force. He continued to play football, making All-Air Force in 1957 and All-Service in 1957 and 1958. Calgary Stampeders: 1959 He returned to professional football with the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League in 1959. Boston Patriots: 1960-1963 Sardisco returned to the states to help launch the AFL, and he played guard for the Patriots from 1960-63. He served as team captain for the inaugural Boston Patriots team. He was named All-AFL the 1961 season and played three seasons in all with the Patriots. Coaching- Jesuit High School: 1964-1967 Following his playing career, Sardisco turned to coaching. He served as an assistant coach at his high school alma mater. Note the school's name changes and history: St. John Berchmans College, a high school for boys, opened in Shreveport on Texas Avenue on November 2, 1902, by the Rev. John Francis O'Connor, S.J., and it moved to Jordan Street in 1938 and was renamed St. John’s High School. In 1960 the school's name was changed to Jesuit High School. The Jesuits relinquished control of the school in 1982 to the Diocese of Alexandria-Shreveport, and the school took on its present name in honor of Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Girls were admitted to Loyola for the first time in 1987. St. Vincent's Academy, a Catholic high school for girls, closed in 1988. Loyola is still open today. Coaching- Buffalo Bills: 1968 On February 7, 1968, it was announced that Sardisco was hired to coach defensive line for the Buffalo Bills. It was the first time the Bills had five full-time assistants since 1964. It was during Sardisco's tenure that Bob Kalsu, and offensive guard, won Buffalo Bills Rookie of the Year, and later fought in the Vietnam War. Coaching- Temple: 1969 Sardisco was an assistant coach at Temple under George Makris in 1969. Coaching- Jesuit High School: 1970-1974, Athletic Director 1973- 1985 In 1970, Sardisco became the head football coach at Jesuit High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. He subsequently became their athletics director and a psychology teacher in 1973, and remained as the athletics director at Jesuit High School for twelve more years. Recognition He was inducted into the Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame in 1982 and to the Greater New OrleansSports Hall of Fame in 1990. He also was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. He died at age 73 from a myocardial infarction at his home in Shreveport.
