George Cecil Woodruff

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George Cecil "Kid" Woodruff, Sr. (1889-1968) was an American businessman and football coach.

Contents

[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, 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 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. Jim Crowley, Frank Thomas, and Harry Mehre all served as assistant coaches under Woodruff at UGA. 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] References

Preceded by:
Herman Stegeman		 Georgia Bulldogs Head Football Coach
1923–1927		 Succeeded by:
Harry Mehre


Georgia Bulldogs Head Football Coaches
Herty • Brown • Winston • Warner • McCarthy • Saussy • Jones • Reynolds • Dickinson • Barnard • Whitney • Bocock • Coulter • Dobson • Cunningham • Stegeman • Woodruff • Mehre • Hunt • Butts • Griffith • Dooley • Goff • Donnan • Richt
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