2012
George Wood, Honorary (Sailing)
Founder of the College of Charleston Sailing Association, George Wood led the nationally-prominent Cougars from 1976 until resigning his post in January of 2007. He began his career as a volunteer sailing team advisor and eventually as Director of Sailing. To this day, the sailing program relies heavily on several endowments Wood was instrumental in securing through his tremendous fundraising efforts. His contributions to the behind-the-scenes aspect of sailing at CofC are undoubtedly enormous feats, but it is tremendous achievements as a coach which has made his name resound as one of the best in the sport. Wood coached over 60 All-Americans, four Collegiate Sailors of the Year and two Olympic Medallists. Perhaps the pinnacle of his success came in 1986, when the team won both the Collegiate Dinghy National Championship and the Leonard M. Fowle Trophy, awarded to the nation's best collegiate team. His sailors learned to play smart and fair, a philosophy which led to innumerable victories. Wood has left his legacy, and instilled in the community and in the nation, a great amount of respect and pride for the sailors of CofC. Wood currently serves as a development officer for the CofC Foundation.
