 Varnell,c. 1919 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1882-08-10)August 10, 1882 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | February 4, 1967(1967-02-04) (aged 84) Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| 1904 | Chicago |
| 1905 | Kentucky University |
| Position(s) | Halfback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1907–1911 | Gonzaga |
| Basketball | |
| 1907–1909 | Gonzaga |
George Marshall Varnell (August 10, 1882 – February 4, 1967) was an Americantrack and field athlete,Gonzaga University's first basketball coach, acollege football player, coach, and official, who refereed a record-setting eightRose Bowl games, and sports editor of two major Pacific Northwest newspapers. He competed in the1904 Summer Olympics, finishing fourth in the200 meter hurdles event as well as fourth in the400 meter hurdles competition. Varnell served as thereferee during the1919 Rose Bowl betweenOregon andHarvard,[1][2] as well as at seven other Rose Bowl games.
Varnell was born inChicago. He played football for coachAmos Alonzo Stagg at theUniversity of Chicago in 1904 and also at Kentucky University—now known asTransylvania University—in 1904. Varnell joined the staff of theSpokane Daily Chronicle in 1908, and later became sports editor for the newspaper. In Spokane, he helped create Gonzaga College's basketball program, and coached the team for two seasons. He also helped resurrect football at the school. He moved toSeattle, in 1925, where he was a sports editor and associate editor forThe Seattle Timesuntil his retirement in 1966. During his time in Seattle, Varnell was extremely supportive ofWashington Huskies rowing and covered their squad for decades, includingthe 1936 team that won a gold medal in the Olympics in Germany. Varnell died on February 4, 1967, at a hospital in Seattle, following an illness lasting 18 months.[3]
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