George J. Turner

George J. Turner (1873 – January 9, 1936) was the treasurer of the South Atlantic Association when he was elected president of the Amateur Athletic Union from 1915 to 1916.^[1] During his tenure the AAU joined with the Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America to set the rules that defined amateur sports.^[2]

George J. Turner
President of the Amateur Athletic Union
In office 1915–1916
Preceded by	Alfred John Lill Jr.
Personal details
Born	1873 Baltimore, Maryland

Biography

He was born in Baltimore, Maryland in August 1873. He attended Mount Saint Mary's College.

He was a coach for the Baltimore Athletic Club rowing team and they were unbeaten in 1896.^[3] He was the treasurer of the South Atlantic Association when he was elected president of the Amateur Athletic Union in 1915 to replace Alfred John Lill Jr. He served as head of the AAU from 1915 to 1916.^[1]

His first duty at the Amateur Athletic Union was to suspend Abel Kiviat, who had requested excessive expense money for running in a track meet in Troy, New York.^[4][5]

He died January 9, 1936, and was buried in New Cathedral Cemetery, Baltimore City, Maryland.

References

1. "Baltimore Man For A.A.U. Head. George J. Turner Leads for Job of Directing America's Amateur Sports". New York Times. October 17, 1915. Retrieved 2015-01-02.
2. "General Plan To Define An Amateur". New York Times. December 24, 1915. Retrieved 2015-01-02.
3. "New Head of Amateur Athletic Union". Harrisburg Telegraph. December 8, 1915. Retrieved 2015-01-03.
4. Frank Litsky (August 26, 1991). "Abel Kiviat, Runner, Dies at 99. Held World 1,500-Meter Record". New York Times. Retrieved 2015-01-02.
5. Alan S. Katchen (2009). Abel Kiviat, National Champion. Syracuse University Press. ISBN 978-0-8156-0939-1.