University of Iowa 2011
George Bresnahan was born in Ida Grove in 1891 and after graduating from high school he left the Hawkeye state for Wisconsin, where he became an outstanding runner. After serving in World War 1 George became an assistant coach for the Badgers. After 3 years in Madison, Bresnahan was offered the head coaching position at the University of Iowa, a position he held from 1921 to 1949.
Bresnahan was internationally renowned for his work in track and field and was appointed assistant coach of the 1932 U.S. Olympic team. Nine of his Iowa athletes earned spots on that team and three of them won gold medals. George Saling in the high hurdles, Ed Gordon in the broad jump and George Baird who ran on the record breaking 1600 meter relay team coached by Bresnahan. His Iowa team won the Big Ten indoor championships in 1926 and 1929 and three times was the outdoor runner-up Eight of his teams finished sixth or better at the NCAA Championships. In 1923 his Hawkeye mile relay team set a National Intercollegiate record of 3:16.9 that stood for seven years. Under Coach Bresnahan, Iowans won 9 National Collegiate titles and 35 Big 10 championships. He coached his athletes to Big 10, national and world records in 10 events.
Not content with just coaching, Bresnahan co-authored the book “Track and Field Athletes”. This book became the premier track coaching text and was used throughout the world. He also invented the rubber rimmed discus along with 2 types of adjustable starting blocks. He was recognized by his peers by being elected President of the American Track Coaches Association in 1932 and in 1949 he was named to the coaches section of the College Track Hall of Fame. He is also in the University of Iowa and Drake Relays Hall of Fame.
Upon retiring from coaching, Bresnahan remained as assistant professor of physical education at Iowa.
Coach Bresnahan passed away on August 7, 1964, in Iowa City, at the age of 74.