George Irving. Where to start, some may ask. I could talk about his role as our 2019-2020 team co-captain. Or his role as our 2019-2020 president. Or his role as our 2019-2020 vice president. Just kidding. He was none of those.
Gerg Irving solidified his role as our “team spirit captain” when he called the infamous “spirit timeout” against a chippy Whitewater team. With his lanky arms outstretched, hands arranged in a very “please shut up, I am in charge” sort of way, he took control of the situation in true Gerg fashion.
George is a born leader and was the brains behind large parts of our off-the-field operations this year. He is so on top of his game at every second, and it is truly crazy to witness someone so focused. The “Management Science” part of his IEMS degree really shines as he moms all of us. The team could not have functioned without George — I think it would be fair to say that George lives and breathes NUT, but only if he has placed adequate nasal strips on before trying to breath through his nose. You do not want to hear this man snore.
On the field, George is like a post-prime Tim Duncan. Tall, big, all the fundamentals are there, but the body (knee) is a little worn. He knows the game well and is a pretty big rule guy (not just on the field). He’ll also dunk on (sky) unsuspecting defenders and you’ll sit there like “oh, damn, he can do that.” He’s a great vocal leader, and can take over when he needs to, specifically in crunch time (near the endzone).
I’ve only been here for a year (really only two thirds of a year), but in that short period of time, I have seen George give so much to this program. From doing a great job at making us rookies feel welcome, to sending non-stop logistics in the slack, George does so much.
The program will miss him (or at least I know I certainly will).
Written by Wilson “$kinnyWil” Sprague