Member Biography

George Munger was a superb, relaxed athlete, an innovative coach, and a meticulous administrator. He played halfback for Pennsylvania 1930-32 and starred on the track team. He won the decathlon at the 1932 Penn Relays. Munger coached the Pennsylvania freshman team in 1933, coached at Episcopal Academy 1934-36, and went back to the Penn freshman job in 1937. He was Pennsylvania head coach 1938-53 and Penn's director of physical education 1954-1974. He also served as vice-president of the National Football Foundation, vice-president of the Maxwell Club, president of the American Football Coaches Association, a director of the Pop Warner League, a member of the U.S. Olympic Equestrian Committee, and a member of physical fitness committees under Presidents Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and Kennedy. In his 16 years as Penn's head coach, the team had an 82-42-10 record, was honored as mythical champ of the Ivy League nine times, and had national rankings of No. 8 in 1945, and No. 7 in 1947. The 1940, 1941, 1943 and 1946 teams were in the second 10 nationally. Munger coached 14 All-America players and five who made the College Football Hall of Fame--Skip Minisi, Bob Odell, George Savitsky, Chuck Bednarik, and Reds Bagnell. He was born September 24, 1909, in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, he died July 20, 1994. His former star halfback, Reds Bagnell, gave this tribute: "Coach Munger was a truly special man, quiet and unassuming in style, yet he projected a dynamic aura that motivated us all."