Sigma Chi Mourns Loss

[TSteven]

March 11, 2010
© 2010, Sigma Chi International Headquarters

After a battle with cancer, Order of Constantine and Significant Sig Merlin Olsen, UTAH STATE 1962, passed away on March 11 at the age of 69. Olsen retired from professional football in 1976 as one of the game’s all-time greatest defensive players. He was a Hall of Fame defensive lineman with the Los Angeles Rams. Following a football career, Olsen delved into acting, and he remained committed to Sigma Chi.

Olsen was the keynote speaker for the 1964 Leadership Training Workshop in Muncie, Ind.; he was a master of ceremonies of a 1969 banquet at the 57th Grand Chapter, or biennial convention, in Atlanta; and he was a member of the Fraternity’s International Sweetheart Nominating Committee throughout the 1980s. According to Chris Lastrapes, TULSA 2003, Olsen also lent his voice to the video “Building our Brotherhood,” which highlighted the Fraternity’s Cornerstone mentoring program when it was in its infancy.