An outstanding all-around athlete, who excelled in football, basketball and baseball, George Winkler earned 11 varsity letters from 1947 through 1950.
Equally proficient in pass receiving and blocking, Winkler was a three-year starting offensive end with the football team. During this period, the Terriers faced a schedule that included such national powers as Purdue and Maryland, and Winkler helped the club register a three-year record of 17-7. In 1948 and 1949, the club posted identical 6-2 marks, and registered wins over Temple, Syracuse, and West Virginia.
In a 1948 loss to 15th-ranked Iowa, Winkler caught a 71-yard touchdown pass to give the Terriers the lead at halftime. The following year, he was a favorite target of quarterback Harry Agganis.
During the winter months, he was a four-year starting center for the Terrier basketball team. Winkler averaged double figures in points all four years. As a freshman, he helped the club to a 14-7 mark, while, in his senior year, he received Honorable Mention All-New England recognition.
On the baseball diamond, Winkler compiled a four-year batting average of .323, and led the team in fielding percentage as a junior. Although a knee injury prevented him from pursuing a professional career, it was widely believed that Winkler was a major league prospect.
Following graduation in 1950, he returned to Boston University to serve as an assistant coach of football, and freshman basketball and baseball coach.
In 1962, he commenced a 25-year career with Newton South High School. Initially the school's football and baseball coach, Winkler later became the athletic director. Since his retirement in 1986, the school's football stadium has been named in his honor.
