Submitted by Bob Edwards
Public Relations Dept. Asst.
Glenville State College
Glenville, WV - The Glenville State College Football team and the GSC athletic department will honor the playing career and accomplishments of former Pioneer standout Chris George at halftime of the GSC Pioneer football game with the Shepherd University Rams on Thursday, November 5th at Morris Stadium. The game is being televised nationally on CBS College Sports Network.
George, a Clarksburg, West Virginia native, competed in football at GSC during the Rich Rodriguez era. "Chris George is one of the best players that I have ever coached during my career. He is one of the reasons we were able to turn the Glenville program around so quickly. Chris was also one of the most determined and dedicated athletes that I've been fortunate enough to work with. Not only was he a great player but he was a great leader and an even better person," said Rodriquez.
As college football's all time receptions leader, George had 430 career receptions, holds a 1993 national record of 144 receptions for 2219 yards, and had 6,177 career receiving yards at his alma mater. Chris had 52 touchdown catches, was a four time All WVIAC selection, all time Leading Receiver in all Divisions, and a three time All American. Known to the press as college football's most prolific receiver, he passed Jerry Rice's (arguably the greatest receiver in NFL history) college record for career pass receptions, amassed 8,549 all-purpose career yards breaking the previous record set by NFL great Barry Sanders, and was nominated for the prestigious Harlon Hill Award, which is the NCAA Division II's version of the Heisman Trophy.
Scouts from just about every NFL team in the country visited the Glenville State campus to see Chris George play and he was recognized even more so by receiving the State's Amateur Athlete of the Year award (the Hardman Award) in 1994. Considered by Chris, as being the most special award received, he won this coveted award over nominees from the two universities and from other colleges in West Virginia. Fulfilling his childhood dream of playing in the NFL, he signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles and participated in mini camps before going to play for the Canadian Football League. This experience earned him a spot with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he played for a year and a half before going back and playing in Canada for a couple more years. In 2003, George was inducted into the GSC Curtis Elam Athletic Hall of Fame.
Today, fifteen years after completing his college career at GSC, George still holds several NCAA Division II reception records: average career receiving yards per game (160.8), average career receptions per game (11.5), most receiving yards in a single season (1,876 in 1993), highest average receiving yards per game in single season (187.6 in 1993), tied for most receptions in single game (23 vs. West Virginia Wesleyan October 15, 1994), career all-purpose yards per game (234).
Considering his outstanding accomplishments during his collegiate career, The National Football Foundation has recently announced that Chris George meets the criteria to be eligible to be nominated for the College Football Hall of Fame. The Don Nehlen Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame from West Virginia will be nominating Chris for the 2010 Hall of Fame class.
Chris and his wife, Alicia Pugh George (GSC '98), live in Bridgeport, West Virginia with their daughters, Kirstin and Mia and son William. George is a pharmaceutical supplies sales representative for Eli Lilly.
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