George Varnell
The Life and Times of a Pioneering Sportsman
by Jeff Burlingame
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Pub Date Mar 07 2023 | Archive Date Oct 13 2023
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Description
The Boys in the Boat. Gonzaga University basketball. College football. Pacific Northwest sports journalism. Without George Varnell, none of these things would likely be thought of the same way today.
George Varnell's story once was stored in bits and pieces of bits and bytes-online mentions in newspaper articles, on sports websites, and in digitized archives of the many universities whose athletic teams he either cursorily or profoundly impacted. Now pulled together in George Varnell: The Life and Times of a Pioneering Sportsman, those mentions tell the more-than-noteworthy tale of a silently influential man. This meticulous biography illustrates Varnell's life as:
* An athlete who competed in America's first Olympics in 1904;
* A college football running back at the University of Chicago under coach Amos Alonzo "A.A." Stagg;
* Gonzaga University's first basketball coach, who helped create the team (and also an early football coach at the school);
* A longtime sports editor in both Spokane at The Daily Chronicle and at The Seattle Times, where he was a contemporary of Royal Brougham of The Seattle Post-Intelligencer;
* A prominent college football referee who still holds the record for most Rose Bowl games officiated. In the days when referees were better known than star players, Varnell was indeed a star profiled in film, magazines, and newspapers;
* The Seattle Times' beat reporter for the University of Washington's crew team, including the one that won gold in the 1936 Olympics. Varnell helped fundraise for that team so it could attend the Olympics, is regularly sourced in Daniel James Brown's The Boys in the Boat, and also has a trophy in his name awarded at the Huskies' opening-day race each year.
The unheralded story of this athlete, groundbreaking Gonzaga University basketball coach, record-setting Rose Bowl referee, renowned sports writer, and dedicated family man will appeal to sports fans as well as those who find themselves intrigued by the humble human spirit.
Advance Praise
"Much of what I was able to learn about the 1936 University of Washington crew team came to me through the detailed and vibrant reportage of two outstanding sports writers-Royal Brougham and George Varnell. What many readers of The Boys in the Boat may not realize is that both men lived extraordinarily interesting lives. In this well-researched and compelling biography, Jeff Burlingame does a marvelous job of unveiling the rich and intriguing tapestry of George Varnell's life." - Daniel James Brown, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Boys in the Boat
"George Varnell lived the kind of century-filling life that almost sounds like it's made up: star athlete, Olympian, coach, sports writer, editor, and Seattle journalism legend. Jeff Burlingame does an excellent job of putting that life into the historical context of the times. With detailed research and skilled writing, Burlingame has crafted a compelling book I couldn't put down." - Charles R. Cross, New York Times bestselling author of Heavier Than Heaven
"George Varnell stood with the tallest of American football giants. The story of his playing for Amos Alonzo Stagg at Chicago, then becoming a sportswriter and leading football official-handling a record eight Rose Bowls-is nicely captured by Jeff Burlingame. This deeply researched book relays the facts about Varnell while imparting the essence of the man, particularly his love of sports and sportsmen." - Timothy P. Brown, author of How Football Became Football: 150 Years of the Game's Evolution
"From football star, Olympic athlete, and multi-sport coach, George Varnell became one of the nation's foremost authorities on college football as he devoted almost half a century to dual careers as a sports editor and record-setting West Coast football referee. This thoroughly researched, comprehensive, very readable account has it all-and details of his personal life, as well." - Jim Price, Pacific Northwest sports historian
"Rowing is the quintessential team sport and for decades at the University of Washington that team included George Varnell. Jeff Burlingame has wonderfully captured the energy and spirit of a man who defined our community and did as much for the sport through his writing as anyone." - Eric Cohen, University of Washington Rowing historian
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9780578950242 |
| PRICE | |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Abigail L, Librarian
George Varnell: The Life and Times of a Pioneering Sportsman is a remarkable biography that unveils the extraordinary achievements of this unsung hero. From competing in America's first Olympics to coaching Gonzaga University's basketball team and becoming a renowned sports writer, Varnell's legacy is both inspiring and enduring.
Sue E, Reviewer
A captivating biography that shines a well-deserved spotlight on a figure often overlooked in sports history. The author's meticulous research and attention to detail bring George Varnell's story to life, highlighting his contributions as an athlete, coach, and sports writer. The book seamlessly weaves together the various facets of Varnell's life, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of his profound impact on Pacific Northwest sports journalism.
