It is with great sadness that Basketball Manitoba and the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame announce the passing of George Birger. George died in Arizona after contracting the COVID-19 virus.
Basketball, and sport in general, are better today because of George Birger. He was born in Winner, South Dakota where he started as an assistant basketball coach with the University of South Dakota when they won the NCAA D2 National Championship in 1963. He was best known for his time in Canada, first as the head coach at Lakehead University, 1967-70 and then the Athletic Director, 1971-74. After a stop at the University of Prince Edward Island, he served as the Athletic Director at Brandon University, 1978-1984, where he was integral in laying the foundation for the great Bobcat dynasty which saw them win four national men's basketball championships.
George then moved on to the University of Arizona where he was the Facility Coordinator and Equipment Supervisor until he retired in 2005. He was awarded a ring as part of the Arizona Wildcats 1997 NCAA National Championship under Coach Lute Olsen. He was inducted into the Brandon University Wall of Fame in 2014.
Our deepest sympathies go out to George's wife, Lorine, his family and friends.
VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE TO GEORGE BY BRANDON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS