Temple University Athletics
Former Owl and Legendary High School Coach George Curry Passes Away
4.1.16 | Football
PHILADELPHIA -- Legendary high school football coach, and former Temple Owl, George Curry passed away at the age of 71, it was confirmed this morning. He was diagnosed with ALS last August but continued to coach through the 2015 season and led Berwick to the championship game. Curry had a career record of 455-102-5 which spanned 46 years and three schools.
"His accomplishments obviously were vast, unprecedented not only at Berwick but across the state," said Berwick Area School District Superintendent Wayne Brookhart when confirming the news. "He was a guy that would do anything for his players. He had a profile that was enormous here, but his influence stretched outside this region."
It is estimated that the former two-time National Coach of the Year has sent over 700 players into college football, more than 200 with scholarships into Division I programs like Temple, Notre Dame, Penn State, Syracuse, Pitt, WVU, and Maryland. Many of these athletes would not have otherwise applied to college or been able to afford it. They and their families credit Berwick Football and Coach Curry personally for creating the opportunity for them to get an education. Other players – including players from other area teams -- credit Coach Curry with their being successfully recruited by prestigious institutions such as Northwestern, West Point, the Naval Academy, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Penn and Yale.
"College coaches knew if you played for Coach Curry, you were tough and willing to make the sacrifices it takes to win and be a champion," said former player Chas Fedorco last October prior to Coach Curry's final game on the sidelines. "Coach Curry turned boys into men. His players know the difference between 'playing football' and 'being a champion.'"Â
George Curry coached high-school football for 46 years, in which he amassed 455 victories, more than any other coach in Pennsylvania history. During his time at Berwick, where he won 400 of those games, Curry won six state titles, his teams were named National Champions by USA TODAY three times (1983, 1992 and 1995) and USA Today High School Coach of the Year twice.
Curry played at Temple under head coach George Makris from 1964-67 during which time the Owls had a 25-12 record.
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"His accomplishments obviously were vast, unprecedented not only at Berwick but across the state," said Berwick Area School District Superintendent Wayne Brookhart when confirming the news. "He was a guy that would do anything for his players. He had a profile that was enormous here, but his influence stretched outside this region."
It is estimated that the former two-time National Coach of the Year has sent over 700 players into college football, more than 200 with scholarships into Division I programs like Temple, Notre Dame, Penn State, Syracuse, Pitt, WVU, and Maryland. Many of these athletes would not have otherwise applied to college or been able to afford it. They and their families credit Berwick Football and Coach Curry personally for creating the opportunity for them to get an education. Other players – including players from other area teams -- credit Coach Curry with their being successfully recruited by prestigious institutions such as Northwestern, West Point, the Naval Academy, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Penn and Yale.
"College coaches knew if you played for Coach Curry, you were tough and willing to make the sacrifices it takes to win and be a champion," said former player Chas Fedorco last October prior to Coach Curry's final game on the sidelines. "Coach Curry turned boys into men. His players know the difference between 'playing football' and 'being a champion.'"Â
George Curry coached high-school football for 46 years, in which he amassed 455 victories, more than any other coach in Pennsylvania history. During his time at Berwick, where he won 400 of those games, Curry won six state titles, his teams were named National Champions by USA TODAY three times (1983, 1992 and 1995) and USA Today High School Coach of the Year twice.
Curry played at Temple under head coach George Makris from 1964-67 during which time the Owls had a 25-12 record.
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