Oct. 15, 2002

Long-Time Wayne State
Baseball Coach Passes Away

DETROIT – Rodger George, the all-time leader for baseball coaching victories (272) at Wayne State University, passed away today. He was 63.

George, who has served the last 14 years as head baseball coach at Wayne State University, was diagnosed with brain cancer last December and has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment for the last several months.

At the conclusion of the 2002 campaign, George tied Joseph E. Truske (1946-59) for the longest tenure of any Warrior baseball coach. He led WSU to the GLIAC regular-season title in 1998 with a 17-7-1 mark.

“Rodger has been a big part of WSU athletics for a long time and his contribution has been much more than wins and championships,” said Rob Fournier, WSU athletics director. “He has had a lasting impact on countless young men with his guidance, outlook on life and sense of humor.

"I don’t think it was just a coincidence tht on the day Rodger passed away the baseball team was practicing on a beautiful warm Fall afternoon. If you knew Rodger ... that was a day made in heaven. Our sympathy goes out to Joette, Bradley and Glen,” said Fournier.

Prior to coaching at WSU, George spent eight years as head baseball coach at Henry Ford Community College compiling a 197-141-2 record. His teams won two (1984 and 1988) MCCAA Eastern Conference Championships and finished second at the NJCAA regionals both years.

A native of Altadena, California, George received his bachelor of science in Mechanical Engineering from West Coast University in 1962. He received his master’s from Wayne State in 1974 and was on the teaching staff at Henry Ford Community College for more than 10 years. George previously was an engineer with American Motors Corporation.

George is survived by his wife, Joette, and two sons, Bradley and Glen.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. at the Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church (8625 E. Jefferson) in Detroit.