Former AD George Briggs Dies At Age 91
July 28, 2016 | General
Hired amid scandal, Briggs hired Darrell Royal and Jim Owens.
George Briggs, who served as University of Washington athletic director from 1956 to 1959 and guided the UW program from scandal to the road to success, has died at the age of 91. Mr. Briggs passed away on July 16, 2016, at his home in Seattle.
Hired to replace Harvey Cassill in the midst of a Pacific Coast Conference-wide recruiting scandal, Briggs hired Darrell Royal as the Washington football coach in 1956, and after losing the future College Football Hall of Famer to Texas after just one season, took a gamble on a 29-year old Jim Owens to take over the UW program. Owens too would end up enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
During Briggs' tenure, the Huskies established themselves as a West Coast football power, eventually culminating with back-to-back Rose Bowl berths following the 1959 and 1960 seasons. Briggs also oversaw the department when Washington's varsity crew beat a Soviet team in Moscow, avenging a loss at Henley, in one of the most historically significant competitions in UW athletics history.
Born on June 2, 1925, Briggs, who was born in Santa Monica, Calif., and attended Seattle's Roosevelt High School and the University of Washington before earning his bachelor's degree at the University of California, came to the UW after having worked in the athletic department at Cal.
After nearly five years at the UW, during which he also helped found the Tyee Club, the athletic department's fundraising arm, Briggs left college athletics to work in banking for the remainder of his professional career. He and his wife of 65 years, Beth, retired in Seattle. They remained together until her death in 2013.
Mr. Briggs is survived by sons Garrett and Geoff, daughter-in-law Clare, three grandchildren, Coyle (wife Tessa), Holly and Gabriel.
Hired to replace Harvey Cassill in the midst of a Pacific Coast Conference-wide recruiting scandal, Briggs hired Darrell Royal as the Washington football coach in 1956, and after losing the future College Football Hall of Famer to Texas after just one season, took a gamble on a 29-year old Jim Owens to take over the UW program. Owens too would end up enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
During Briggs' tenure, the Huskies established themselves as a West Coast football power, eventually culminating with back-to-back Rose Bowl berths following the 1959 and 1960 seasons. Briggs also oversaw the department when Washington's varsity crew beat a Soviet team in Moscow, avenging a loss at Henley, in one of the most historically significant competitions in UW athletics history.
Born on June 2, 1925, Briggs, who was born in Santa Monica, Calif., and attended Seattle's Roosevelt High School and the University of Washington before earning his bachelor's degree at the University of California, came to the UW after having worked in the athletic department at Cal.
After nearly five years at the UW, during which he also helped found the Tyee Club, the athletic department's fundraising arm, Briggs left college athletics to work in banking for the remainder of his professional career. He and his wife of 65 years, Beth, retired in Seattle. They remained together until her death in 2013.
Mr. Briggs is survived by sons Garrett and Geoff, daughter-in-law Clare, three grandchildren, Coyle (wife Tessa), Holly and Gabriel.
Stellar Seattle Sports Sunday.
Tuesday, January 27
Washington 76, Rutgers 48 | Huskies Highlights
Monday, January 26
media day is easy for dubs
Monday, January 26
Avery and her 🪣
Monday, January 26
