George Cecil Woodruff
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George Cecil "Kid" Woodruff, Sr. (1889-1968) was an American businessman and football coach.
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[edit] Early life and education
Born in Columbus, Georgia in 1889, Woodruff attended Columbus High School and the University School for Boys in Stone Mountain, Georgia before enrolling at the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens in 1907. He played quarterback for the UGA football team during the 1907 and 1908 seasons before taking a year off from school to travel around the United States and Mexico. After returning to the university and rejoining the football team in 1910 and 1911, when he was team captain, Woodruff graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912.
[edit] Professional and coaching career
Following graduation, Woodruff became an insurance salesman in Columbus. He served in World War I as a major in the 82nd Division and then returned to his successful insurance business after the war.
After the 1922 season, head coach Herman Stegeman moved to the position of athletics director, and Woodruff was hired as the new head coach at a salary of $1 a year. During his tenure from 1923 until 1927, Woodruff compiled a record of 30-16-1 and won the Southern Conference championship in 1927. When he came to Athens, he brought with him the Notre Dame offensive scheme as well as assistant coaches Frank Thomas, and Harry Mehre, who were Knute Rockne's disciples. Jim Crowley, who was one of the Four Horsemen at Notre Dame, was also an assistant coach under Woodruff at UGA.
Woodruff was the third of a total of five former Georgia players who later became head coach of the Bulldogs. Of the five (Ernest Brown, M. M. Dickinson, Johnny Griffith and Ray Goff were the other four), he was the most successful. After the 1927 season Woodruff stepped down to focus on his insurance business.
Georgia governor Richard B. Russell, Jr. appointed Woodruff as an initial member of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents in 1932, and Woodruff would serve on that board until 1945.
[edit] Legacy
Woodruff Hall, the former basketball arena at UGA, was named in honor of Woodruff and his older brother, Harry "Big Kid" Woodruff, who also attended UGA and played quarterback. Woodruff Hall stood on the site of the current Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. UGA's current outdoor football practice field is also named in honor of George Woodruff.
Woodruff was instrumental in arranging for the annual UGA-Auburn football game to be played in Columbus for many years.
[edit] Related Pages
[edit] References
- Former Head Coaches (HTML) (English). UGA Sports Communications (2006-08-01). Retrieved on 2007-01-12.
- History of the University of Georgia, Thomas Walter Reed, Imprint: Athens, Georgia : University of Georgia, ca.1949, pp.3543-3561
- Football Through the Years (HTML) (English). Georgia Bulldogs 2006 Media Guide. georgiadogs.com (2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-12.
- Reed, Thomas Walter (c1949). Athletics at the University from the Beginning Through 1947 (HTML) (English). History of the University of Georgia pp. 3543-3561. dlg.galileo.usg.edu. Retrieved on 2007-01-12.
- Team Captains (HTML) (English). UGA Sports Communications (2006-08-01). Retrieved on 2007-01-12.
- New Georgia Encyclopedia entry for George Woodruff
| Preceded by Herman Stegeman |
Georgia Bulldogs Head Football Coach 1923–1927 |
Succeeded by Harry Mehre |
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