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Mike George '73
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I was born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in 1954. In 1968 my family moved to Coos Bay and I went to 8th grade at Marshfield Jr. High. My life as a Marshfield Pirate began in 1969. During my 4 years at MHS I competed in basketball and football for four years, track for one year and golf for three years. I was also a member of the Order of the M and Key Club. I graduated in 1973.
My college career began at Lane Community College where I played basketball. I then went to the University of Oregon and became a Duck forever. I majored in Physical Education. While attending the U of 0, I was also a varsity assistant basketball coach for two years at Springfield High School and one year at Willamette High School. I graduated in 1979 and moved back to Coos Bay to begin my teaching and coaching career at Millicoma Jr. High where I taught physical education, health and math. I also coached football, girls basketball, boys basketball and track.
Next, I was hired to teach and coach at Marshfield High School. I started my coaching career at Marshfield with the boys basketball and football programs. I worked as an assistant for 23 years in the football program, including the 1992 state championship year.I was an assistant in the boys basketball program for 7 years before becoming the boys varsity head basketball coach for 14 years. Towards the end of my career, I had the pleasure of co-head coaching the girls varsity team for two years along with Doug Miles.
During my years at MHS I was mentored by some of the finest coaches and teachers you could have. Bruce Hoffine helped develop my passion to coach. His occasional visits throughout the years helped shape my career. We had four playoff appearances with the boys teams and one with the girls team. I was voted the boys league's coach of the year and voted by the league coaches to be their representative to the state basketball coaches association and representative to the OSAA.
One of my proudest accomplishments is the formation of Seabreeze Basketball Camp. Kelly Hoy and I started and directed the camp for 23 years. We wanted to provide a low-cost camp for kids from our area. It grew into a 2-week camp with over 100 kids a week attending. We had kids and coaches come from all over the state.
In 2010, I retired from teaching, but I have remained involved with Marshfield. I researched and developed the Men's Gallery of Champions in 2012. In 2013, I was hired as the co-athletic director along with Boyd Bjorkquist. During that year, we put together a committee of MHS staff and community members to fund raise and create Heritage Hall. Heritage Hall is a room to honor the past and inspire future students and athletes of MHS.
With the help of many, we created a room that all can be very proud of. I continue to be involved at MHS by serving on the 3A Basketball, Hall of Fame and Heritage Hall committees.
My whole career was built on the passion to represent Coos Bay Schools and MHS the best that I could. The students I taught and coached were always most important to me. I tried to instill in each one of them the desire to be the best person they could be in school and after in their lives. I have many great memories from my time coaching. I get a smile and remember all the great days I spent at MHS when I see former students and players. I live in Coos Bay with my wife Cindy, also a MHS graduate and retired elementary teacher. We enjoy the small-town atmosphere and support found here. It is a great honor to be selected to the MHS Athletic Hall of Fame and one that I am proud of and very thankful for. The saying "Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate" is very true with me and always will be!
My college career began at Lane Community College where I played basketball. I then went to the University of Oregon and became a Duck forever. I majored in Physical Education. While attending the U of 0, I was also a varsity assistant basketball coach for two years at Springfield High School and one year at Willamette High School. I graduated in 1979 and moved back to Coos Bay to begin my teaching and coaching career at Millicoma Jr. High where I taught physical education, health and math. I also coached football, girls basketball, boys basketball and track.
Next, I was hired to teach and coach at Marshfield High School. I started my coaching career at Marshfield with the boys basketball and football programs. I worked as an assistant for 23 years in the football program, including the 1992 state championship year.I was an assistant in the boys basketball program for 7 years before becoming the boys varsity head basketball coach for 14 years. Towards the end of my career, I had the pleasure of co-head coaching the girls varsity team for two years along with Doug Miles.
During my years at MHS I was mentored by some of the finest coaches and teachers you could have. Bruce Hoffine helped develop my passion to coach. His occasional visits throughout the years helped shape my career. We had four playoff appearances with the boys teams and one with the girls team. I was voted the boys league's coach of the year and voted by the league coaches to be their representative to the state basketball coaches association and representative to the OSAA.
One of my proudest accomplishments is the formation of Seabreeze Basketball Camp. Kelly Hoy and I started and directed the camp for 23 years. We wanted to provide a low-cost camp for kids from our area. It grew into a 2-week camp with over 100 kids a week attending. We had kids and coaches come from all over the state.
In 2010, I retired from teaching, but I have remained involved with Marshfield. I researched and developed the Men's Gallery of Champions in 2012. In 2013, I was hired as the co-athletic director along with Boyd Bjorkquist. During that year, we put together a committee of MHS staff and community members to fund raise and create Heritage Hall. Heritage Hall is a room to honor the past and inspire future students and athletes of MHS.
With the help of many, we created a room that all can be very proud of. I continue to be involved at MHS by serving on the 3A Basketball, Hall of Fame and Heritage Hall committees.
My whole career was built on the passion to represent Coos Bay Schools and MHS the best that I could. The students I taught and coached were always most important to me. I tried to instill in each one of them the desire to be the best person they could be in school and after in their lives. I have many great memories from my time coaching. I get a smile and remember all the great days I spent at MHS when I see former students and players. I live in Coos Bay with my wife Cindy, also a MHS graduate and retired elementary teacher. We enjoy the small-town atmosphere and support found here. It is a great honor to be selected to the MHS Athletic Hall of Fame and one that I am proud of and very thankful for. The saying "Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate" is very true with me and always will be!
