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Friday, July 01, 2005

WESTERN HIRES DEFENSIVE LINE COACH

Former Viking George Booker returns to sidelines

BELLINGHAM, Wash. --- George Booker, who played on the first Western Washington University football team to reach the national playoffs, has been named the Vikings’ defensive line coach. Making that announcement was WWU head coach Rob Smith.

Booker, 37, returns to coaching after a two-year absence. He brings 10 years of experience coaching at either the NCAA Division I or I-AA level, nine of them working with the defensive line.

He last coached at the University of Idaho in 2002 following two years at San Diego State University. During that stretch, Booker mentored five student-athletes who reached the National Football League.

Booker also was an assistant for six years at Montana State University and one season at Cal Poly.

A four-year letter winner and three-year starter at defensive tackle for Western, Booker received all-Columbia Football Association honorable mention in 1992, helping the Vikings reach the NAIA Division II national playoffs that season.

Booker earned his bachelor’s degree in recreation at Western in 1993 after attending Santa Monica (Calif.) Junior College for one year. He was a standout in football at St. Monica High School, being a first-team Evening Outlook all-Bay Area and L.A. Westside Times all-Area pick as a senior, and twice receiving El Camino Real League all-star honors.

GEORGE BOOKER - Defensive Line

In first year as assistant on Western staff …. Works with defensive line … Returns to coaching after two-year absence … Coached defensive line in 2002 at University of Idaho and San Diego State University in 2000 and 2001 … During that stretch, mentored five student-athletes who reached National Football League … Also was assistant coach for six years at Montana State University, working with defensive line five seasons and linebackers one year … Had one-year stint (1996) as defensive line coach at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo … Four-year letter winner and three-year starter as defensive tackle at Western … Received all-Columbia Football Association honorable mention in 1992, helping Vikings to first national playoff appearance … Earned bachelor’s degree in recreation at Western in 1993 … Standout at St. Monica (Calif.) High School … First-team Evening Outlook all-Bay Area and L.A. Westside Times all-Area pick as senior, and twice earned El Camino Real League all-star honors … Coached one year at St. Monica High … 37 years old (11/12/67) … Has three children, son Elijah 6, and daughters Sydnee 4 and Chloe 2.

Paul Madison
Sports Information Director
Western Washington University
Office - 360-650-3108

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