Where Are They Now? Jim Psaledas
The following interview featuring Jim Psaledas is from the Ted Menswar Jr. sports archives.
A number of athletically famous surnames have had members of their families discussed in a variety of locations. Whether it was at popular gathering places like the Rafael Club, The Alibi Restaurant, Billy’s Sports Bar, or Sweeney Post, names like McDonough, Pappas, and Schubert were often the topic for debate. As well-known as each of those families are, and they’re all legends, this one is equally “famous”…perhaps even infamous.
The name is Psaledas, as in Pete, the father, the “grandfather” of South Little League baseball, a member of the MMHS Hall of Fame; as in Jim and Arthur, the sons, both great athletes, both All-State Class “L” football players, both great baseball players, both MMHS Hall of Fame members.
While I did not have the pleasure – make that the privilege – of knowing their dad, through my former profession, teaching, I did get to know both sons. As a member of the faculty at Manchester Memorial, I worked alongside both of them and, while Arthur, more recognized by his nickname “Butch” (recently presented the Andy Mooradian Award), will no doubt be the subject of a future WATN article, this story is about my catcher from our days with Manchester Post 79 American Legion baseball and who has remained my good friend for years.
This one is about Jim Psaledas.
The 63 year-old former math teacher, married to wife, Sheila, for 23 years, Jim Psaledas presently works as a Safety Officer for Granite State Plumbing and Heating. A variation of one of the words in his job title – “safety” – is an appropriate way to start.
Throughout his four years as a member of the Knights of Columbus South Little League team (under coach Larry Cronin) “safe” is the last thing opposing pitchers felt when they faced the Bakersville Grammar School student, but “safe” is exactly how the pitchers for whom he caught felt when he called their pitches.
His stay in Babe Ruth baseball was brief, perhaps because it was not challenging enough for him, or, as he put it, “Sometimes it was boring. I remember one game in particular at West Memorial Field. I was in my usual position – behind the plate – and it was hot, really hot. Our pitcher was working slowly and had already put runners on base. While waiting for him to throw his next pitch, I closed my eyes and dozed off. No lie! I woke up when I heard people screaming after the ball got by me.”
After that experience, Jim yearned to play both high school and Legion ball and, still 15, that’s exactly what he did, joining the Crusaders, led by Hubie McDonough Jr., and Post 79, under Nick Gabardina, and spent four years with each club.
At Memorial, Jim lettered in baseball, basketball, football, and track and field. His experience in all four no doubt was the reasoning behind his quick response to my question referent to young athletes “specializing” in one sport.
”NEVER! No matter when! The skills you develop in the other ones are as important as the ones you develop in the specific one. Plus, you need to take a break, otherwise the road usually will lead to ‘burn out’.” The only exception…“If the kid wants to play only one, OK, but the kid decides…NOT the parent!”
His football “career” actually began at Manchester Central, the year before Memorial opened its doors. As the only freshman on the Little Green varsity football team, his one vivid memory was that of being trampled during practice by power-runner Don Stone. “I can still feel his knees in my chest!”
His favorite opponent? The ’60-’61 Nashua High club.
“In fact, the biggest ‘honor’ I ever received in all my years of playing sports was the one they gave me. They named me to their ‘All-Opponent Team’. I say ‘They’ because the players picked the team, not the coaches. There were no politics involved. I was only a sophomore and the only player from New Hampshire to be on it. I think that was the last year they did it and I still have the newspaper article naming the team members.”
As far as opponents were concerned, he had trouble remembering many of their names, even the “biggies” of that time. “I never knew players’ names and didn’t care. I didn’t want to know them because I thought it would affect my psyche. I treated them all the same way – and hit them all the same way…as hard as I could.”
And how hard was that? Between eighth grade and his senior year in high school, he suffered a total of SEVEN concussions. In fact, during the first quarter of a game against Haverhill (Mass.), he collided so hard with their fullback that they knocked each other out.
“After coming to, I remember going to the sidelines for one play, then going right back in. The next thing I remember it was the 4th quarter and I was punting. Hopefully, that’s not happening as much anymore. I’m not blaming anyone…back then I was pretty stubborn about not getting looked at. I didn’t want to sit out any part of a game.”
As to my question, “What was your favorite sports memory?,” his answer didn’t just surprise me, it literally startled me, particularly considering all the sports he played, all the years he played, all the success he enjoyed!
“I really don’t have one. In all honesty, I only remember what I did wrong. For example, in one game, when I was playing Prep football for Berwick Academy, I made every tackle except four. What do I most remember? The only one I missed. Though I was a member of Memorial teams that won a state championship in baseball (under Hubie McDonough) and in football (under Bob Chabot and Hubie), neither one really stands out. In fact, after we won the baseball title I ran into the school cafeteria where the Senior Banquet was being held. I remember holding the championship trophy over my head, but I really don’t remember the game at all. I also pitched a one-hitter for my little league all-star team in the eastern regional, but only remember that the one hit I gave up was a two-run homer that beat us, 2-1. I know most people will see all of this as negative, but I don’t. It’s just the way I am.”
His career at UNH was both a positive and negative experience. Spending his first two years at linebacker, as a freshman, he couldn’t play varsity. During his sophomore year, they never won a game, yet he considers that club (along with his senior year with the Crusaders) as the two most memorable football teams that he was a part of.
“Both those teams were filled with guys that had guts. They may not have been the most talented, but they were tenacious…a lot of tough kids who hit hard. I can’t remember a single person who slacked off. Of those four years at UNH, that one was my best. And it was all because of coach Andy Mooradian. He was a super human being who should never be forgotten.”
Though the team did well, his final two years as a member of the Wildcats contained his most embarrassing experience and a season-ending injury. As a junior, he made the switch from LB to center.
“I had never played that position before and, because the original kicker got hurt, I was also doing the punting. When I’d get down over the ball at center the muscles in my legs would start to tighten up. In one particular game, I punted twice and both times my kicking leg cramped up. Total punting yardage? 14 – seven per boot! Now that’s embarrassing…and I remember it like it was yesterday.”
The first game of his senior year was also his last. After breaking his wrist, he spent the remainder of the season helping coach the freshmen.
Speaking of coaching, when asked which one, of the many he had, was the most influential, he paused for quite some time, then said “You’ll have to remember that many of those coaches were young and still learning the game themselves so they were more prone to making mistakes back then than they were later in their careers. I’ve had several who were really good, but the ones who most influenced me would have to be Bob and Hubie. I had Hubie for both football and baseball and he always made you believe that the team you were on was your team, not his team. I remember in one baseball game he called time and went out to talk to our pitcher. On his way to the mound he came to me and asked if thought the pitcher have any gas left in the tank and if his pitches were still moving? He listened to my answers, then made his decision based on what I had said to him. Both Bob and Hubie were like that. Once they each saw that our decision-making could be trusted…that the ones we made were good…they’d turn much of the responsibility over to us and that really built our confidence.”
He added that Bob Jauron, though not his most influential coach, was the most knowledgeable of them all. “He knew the ins and outs of baseball, basketball, football and even track. When we played teams that were supposed to beat us, he’d match his defense perfectly to the other team’s offensive abilities and we’d beat ‘em.”
His only athletic “regret”…“I wish I had taken one season of high school football off. During spring football (remember that?) just before the start of baseball, I hyper-extended my elbow. I still played baseball, but couldn’t reach second without my throw taking a few bounces. Before that, several people told me that a couple of scouts were looking at me, but after seeing my ‘arm’, that was it. Because it was gone, they were gone. If I hadn’t gotten hurt I really think I had a chance to play some level of pro ball.”
(Personal note here: remembering that he was my catcher, remembering his ability to call pitches, remembering his ability to hit “frozen ropes”, and remembering his defensive skills, I don’t think it was just a “possibility” that he might be able to play pro ball; it was a definite! Why? Because I had seen four go through our program at Memorial – Mike Flanagan, Steve Balboni, Ron Beaurivage, and Scott Thompson – and Jim was as talented as any one of them.)
As to how he wished to be remembered… “As a player who was willing to sacrifice himself for the common good or common interest. I didn’t have a lot of raw talent and wasn’t skilled enough to change positions without having a lot of trouble. I hope I’ll be remembered the way Dick Griese and Mark Telge remember me. They respected me because of the way I played against them…hard, with intensity, but clean…no cheap shots. That’s the way they played against me.”
Thinking the interview was now complete, I thanked him for taking the time to sit down with me. Then he said “Ted, there’s one question I’m surprised you didn’t ask. I’m surprised you didn’t ask, ‘Who’s the toughest person in sports that I ever knew?’”
Remembering a tragic motocross accident involving a member of his family, I already knew who that person was, so I answered, “Your son?” to which he responded “Yup. Mike went from being an expert motocross racer to a paraplegic in seconds. In the race that paralyzed him, he and the bike in front of him were climbing a three-tiered hill. As they jumped, the other bike only got to the second level. Mike was heading for the third when he was hit by a gust of wind that pushed him down and to the right. He tried to avoid the guy who had landed short, but his front wheel hit him. The impact caused him to be thrown more than 50 feet into the air and he landed on his head, severing his spine. His own motorcycle then landed on him, breaking his back.
Today he lives a full life, rides snowmobiles and 4-wheelers, even hunts – does pretty much everything everybody else does. Never gives up – never complains.”
He continued…“When Mike got hurt, our family really pulled together. Through it all, my wife and our other two kids, Dawn and David, were just unbelievable.”
Then he paused and said, “You know, it’s the worst thing and the best thing that ever happened to me in my life, the way it ended. I was 24 when my dad died at 49. I never got to know him the way my son now knows me. That’s what life is all about. Not all-state teams, not plaques or trophies. It’s about family.”
Jim has never been one for accolades, never liked being in the limelight. He has always been a “what you see is what you get” kind of guy. That’s why I would never doubt the sincerity of his final statement. That’s why I’m glad to have been his battery-mate and even more thankful to still be his friend.
And concerning the Psaledas family, it has been a pleasure, make that a privilege, to have known them.
ADDENDUM 2026 Update
Jim, turns 81 this summer and will join his wife Shiela as they celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary.
To escape the doldrums of winter (especially like the one we’ve been experiencing), they have chosen to live in Edgewater, Florida. – permanently!
When I asked if he and Sheila would visit the Granite State soon, he didn’t hesitate. “Nope! The good memories I made there are history. To go back wouldn’t be the same.. I don’t want to change that.”
For those of you who either remember the opening of Memorial High School in 1960 or were a part of it, the picture of the 1959 Central High football team is definitely significant. It was the last time that group of athletes were pictured together.
Front row (class of 1960): Stan Kowaloski, Bruce Jelley, Ray Belaire, Tom Hopkins, co-captain Lloyd Wells, co-captain Boyd Jajesnica, Andy Dominick, Jr., Gus Giardi, Roy Whalen, Tom Gramatikas.
Second row (class of 1961): Bill McKee, Butch Tremblay, Don Stone, Ron Girolomon, John Kapranopoulos, Teddy Ling, Bill Jajesnica, Roland Cantin, Marty Martineau, Mike Kobilarcsik, Ed Wynot.
Third row: Walt Rozmus (‘62), Tony Hunkins (‘61), Conrad Gagne (‘61), Bob Bergeron (‘61), Dick Bergeron (‘61), Mo Landry (‘61), Hugh Rostad (‘61), John Olson (‘61), Danny O’Neil (‘62), Rodney Hudoba (‘62), James Psaledas (‘63).
Fourth row: Dave Gladu (‘62), Jimmy Dickey (‘62), Cecil Jordan (‘62), Billy Scribner (‘63), Dave Purcell (‘63), Eddie Katz (‘63), Jay Rozmus (‘63), Chuck Hennessey (‘62), Jay Botop (‘62), Paul Martel (student manager).
Fifth row: Assistant coach Nicholas Gabardina, head coach James King, assistant coach Walter Tafe.
Once a group of Little Green football teammates, they would make history one year later, but now as two separate teams, one from the city’s oldest high school and one from the city’s newest, to battle it out on the natural turf of Gill Stadium.
In the first half, Psaledas caught a 17 yard pass from Hall of Fame QB Wally Rozmus. That catch led the way to a 16 yard TD run by Larry Walsh, for Memorial’s only TD. The 2 point conversion put the Crusaders up 8-0.
A touchdown by Central made it 8-6 but the 2 point try failed.
That was the final score and was the first win for Memorial which eventually became a pigskin powerhouse in the 60’s to the mid 70’s…led by two infamous coaches that went together like bacon and eggs, peanut butter and jelly, Brady and Belichick…CHABOT and MCDONOUGH.
That two-some mentored a plethora of talented football athletes who wore the Red, White, and Blue.
They were:
- Class of 1962 Wally Rozmus
- Class of 1963 Jim Psaledas
- Class of 1964 Darrell Buck, Bill Lucci, Bob Peacock
- Class of 1965 Angie Manni
- Class of 1966 Mike Bradley, Ray Sarette, Mike Shaughnessy, Art Psaledas, Ken Thomas
- Class of 1970 Chuck Smyrl, Don York, Harry Lazos, Don Menswar
- Class of 1971 Ron Beaurivage
- Class of 1972 Gene Brown, Marty Foye, Mike Applegate, Gene Brown
- Class of 1973 Tom Kathan, Dave Croasdale
- Class of 1974 Ed Chase
- Class of 1975 Steve Balboni, Doug Nute
- ALL of whom were inducted into the MMHS HALL OF FAME – RED DIVISION – ATHLETES.
- And it’s a bit ironic that Wally – Class of 1962 and Jim – Class of 1963 lead the CRUSADE of this powerful stable of horses!
Ted Menswar Jr. is a life-long resident of the Queen City and a retired member of the English Department of Memorial High School who has been involved in local sports for 70 years as a player, a coach, a mentor and a fan. He can be reached at tedmenswar@outlook.com