PHILADELPHIA, July 13 - The Penn Relays mourns the loss of one of its most dedicated supporters today, joining the sports world in celebrating the life of the late George Steinbrenner, who passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 80.
The Steinbrenner family, led by George, instituted the Henry Steinbrenner Family Heritage Award in 2001 to honor a multi-generational family which has been involved with the Relays. The award is named after George's father, who claimed the 120-yard hurdles championship at the 1927 Relays while competing for MIT. George himself was a collegiate track and field competitor, hurdling at Williams College and while stationed at Lockborune Air Base as a member of the Air Force. In 1952, George followed in his father's footsteps by competing at the Penn Relays.
In the late 1980s Steinbrenner, an ardent supporter of amateur athletics as evidenced by his tenure as vice president of the U.S. Olympic Committee from 1989-96 and a spot on the NCAA's Board of Trustees, brought together several other philanthropists to raise funds in support of the Penn Relays. Specifically, Steinbrenner's contributions were used to help fund college programs in their travel to the nation's longest-running relay carnival.
"The George Steinbrenner that people knew at the Relays was far different than the one people heard about in connection with the New York Yankees," said Dave Johnson, the Frank Dolson Director of Penn Relays. "At the Relays, George was relaxed, outgoing and jovial. He was always willing to sit and share stories - tales that often grew taller with each telling."
As with any long-time supporter and fan of the Relays, a trip to Franklin Field the last weekend of April was almost like a trip back in time for Steinbrenner according to Johnson.
"Attending the Relays was as if he was transported back to his youth," Johnson said.
"George was always enjoying the laughter, bantering back and forth with friends and of course trying to one-up everyone on baseball trivia. Most of all, however, the Relays was a chance for George to stay connected with his father. Henry Steinbrenner had great success at Franklin Field with a Relays championship and an IC4A title, and coming back to the Relays allowed George to honor his father's memory."
George Steinbrenner is survived by his wife Joan, sisters Susan Norpell and Judy Kamm, children Hank, Hal, Jennifer and Jessica; and his grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements will be private, the family said. There will be an additional public service with details to be announced at a later date.
Photo Credit: The Penn Relays Office
