George Clinton Colliflower (May 2, 1886 – January 20, 1980) was an American basketball player and coach. He was head basketball coach at George Washington University from 1915 to 1917.
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 2, 1886 |
| Died | January 20, 1980 (aged 93) |
| Playing career | |
| 1907–1912 | Georgetown |
| Position(s) | Forward |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| c. 1914 | Gonzaga College HS |
| 1915–1917 | George Washington |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 9–18 (college) |
Colliflower and his brother James attended Georgetown University. Colliflower played basketball as a forward and guard and baseball as a pitcher while at Georgetown.[1] In basketball, Colliflower was described as a "husky" forward who was known for his "consistent performances ... both in goal tossing and making it almost impossible for his opponent to score."[2] Colliflower's Georgetown career spanned from 1907 to 1912, extending from his undergraduate days to his enrollment in graduate school.
Following his college career, Colliflower played and coached for the Aloysius Club team,[3] then coached at Gonzaga College High School while working with other Washington, D.C. basketball coaches and administrators to organize the game in the city.[4]
Colliflower was named head coach at George Washington in 1915, succeeding Nathan Dougherty, serving in this role for two seasons. In the 1915–16 season, the Colonials went 7–8, and in 1916–17 they were 2–10.[5]
Personal life
editGeorge's older brother James later became head coach at Navy and Georgetown, and they at times faced each other on the sidelines.[6] A third Colliflower brother, Joseph, was accidentally shot and killed in 1909 by a nine-year-old child in an accident involving a keepsake firearm. George Colliflower witnessed the accident and held his dying brother until medical help could arrive.[7][8]
Colliflower was married on January 1, 1917, to Louise M. Hance.[9] They had four children: Vera (born c. 1918), George, Jr. (born c. 1919), Joseph (born c. 1922), and Helen (born c. 1924).[10][11][12]
Colliflower died in January 1980 at age 83. His last residence was in Anne Arundel, Maryland.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Veterans to Play Varsity". Washington Herald. January 22, 1911. p. 10. Retrieved June 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "First meeting held". Washington Herald. October 17, 1909. p. 2. Retrieved June 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "George Colliflower to coach and play with the churchmen team this season". Washington Times. November 7, 1913. p. 14. Retrieved June 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Basketers organize". Washington Times. December 5, 1915. p. 20. Retrieved June 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "2009–10 George Washington Colonials men's basketball media guide, page 129". issuu.com. George Washington Colonials. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
- ^ "Brothers to see their teams play". Washington Times. January 3, 1917. p. 10. Retrieved June 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Boy Kills Friend". The Washington Post. June 24, 1909. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Death accidental, coroner's verdict". Washington Times. June 24, 1909. p. 7. Retrieved June 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Marriage Index for George Clinton Colliflower (born c. 1888) and Louise M. Hance, married 1/1/17 in the District of Columbia. Ancestry.com. District of Columbia, Compiled Marriage Index, 1830-1921 [database on-line]. Original data: District of Columbia, Marriages, 1830-1921.
- ^ Census entry for George Colliflower and family. Census Place: Washington, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: T625_210; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 182; Image: 939. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
- ^ Census entry for George Colliflower and family. Census Place: Arlington, Arlington, Virginia; Roll: 2436; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 0008; Image: 220.0; FHL microfilm: 2342170 Source Information. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
- ^ Census entry for George C. Colliflower and family. Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Roll: T627_561; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 1-260B. Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
- ^ Death record for George Colliflower, born May 2, 1886. Social Security number: 578-07-6921, issued in the District of Columbia. Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line].
