Feb. 27, 2008

LOGAN, Utah - Former Utah State men's basketball great Max Perry passed away at his home in North Carolina Wednesday morning surrounded by family and friends. Perry was just inducted into Utah State's Athletics Hall of Fame earlier this month.

Perry, a Columbus, Ind., native played basketball at Utah State from 1959-61 and was a two-time United Press International "Small America" first-team selection. Referred to by local media as "Max the Magician", Perry helped lead Utah State to a 24-5 record during the 1959-60 season, which included wins against Villanova (73-72 ot) and St. Bonaventure (99-83) in the 1960 postseason National Invitation Tournament in New York City.

During his senior season, Perry became the first player in school history to score 40 points in a single game as he made 20 field goals en route to a career-high 45 points against New Mexico on Mar. 3, 1961 in the George Nelson Fieldhouse.

Following his senior campaign, in which he scored 421 points, Perry became Utah State's all-time leading scorer as he poured in 1,236 points during his three-year career. Perry, who was a three-time all-Skyline Conference performer, still ranks 21st all-time in scoring at Utah State, and is one of just 32 players in school history to score 1,000 points.