Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1504946
12 WAC Magazine | wac.net first take member biography New book tells the story of WAC charter member George Varnell From enjoying his own career as a track and field athlete to blazing the trail for Gonzaga's basketball and football pro- grams, officiating in a record-setting eight Rose Bowl football games, and staunchly covering University of Washington sports teams during his decades-long career as sports editor for e Seattle Times, WAC charter member George Marshall Varnell (1882–1967) was a man who le an unmistakable mark on the world of sports. In author Jeff Burlingame's biography, "George Varnell: e Life and Times of a Pioneer- ing Sportsman," readers get an up-close look at the legacy that Varnell le on Washington sports and the Washington Athletic Club. Born in Chicago, Varnell planted his Washington roots in 1908, when he worked for the Spokane Daily Chronicle and coached football and basketball at Gonzaga. Varnell moved to Seattle in 1925 and became sports editor for e Seattle Times. While in Seattle, Varnell's stark support and coverage of UW sports helped send the school's rowing team to the infamous 1936 Olympics in Berlin, where they would win the gold medal. Varnell was an original member of the WAC and advocated strongly for the construction of the Club. In 1928, he was the first to publish a story in favor of the WAC and played a pivotal part in helping the Club come to fruition. anks in part to Varnell's influence, the Club sponsored several athletes pur- suing Olympic competition, including Helene Madison, who trained tirelessly in the WAC's pool before going on to win three gold medals at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. Varnell was a regular user of the WAC Clubhouse, and his life and legacy are sure to inspire modern-day readers. —Buy your copy of "George Varnell: e Life and Times of a Pioneering Sportsman" in the WAC Club Shop. u Discover more on the WAC app on the WAC app @thewacseattle Put the Club in the palm of your hand! Reserve for club events, sign up for fitness classes, order from the WAC Café, and so much more! The app is the No. 1 way to connect with the WAC and fellow members when you're not at the Club. Available on Apple and Android. Love the WAC and have a photo at the WAC or from a WAC event you want to share? Tag @thewacseattle on Instagram for your chance to be featured in a future issue of WAC Magazine! Tag us on Instagram facebook.com/thewacseattle @cscurrier shared this shot from the Inn at the WAC during a filming session for The Dawgfather, an upcom- ing documentary about former UW football coach Don James. Learn more at rocketsoul.com/the-dawgfather. View our app tutorial online: wac.net/app ourapp.me/wac