NU mourns legend Makris
If the late Jack Grinold was the soul of Northeastern University, then his sidekick, the legendary George Makris, was the body of the school’s athletic side.
A deep-voiced but friendly gentleman, Makris, who died Sunday at 96 following a brief illness, was known far and wide when it came to NU sports.
“I was his boss in athletic development for five years,” said NU men’s hockey coach Jim Madigan. “I mean, I wasn’t actually his boss. He helped train me and mentored me. He was in an emeritus role.
“He was just a wonderful guy. He was an icon at Northeastern, just like Jack. Everyone knew him. He touched everyone’s life here. He was so supportive of Northeastern athletics and wanted everyone to do well.”
Northeastern crew coach John Pojednic said Makris was a role model to all segments of the Huskies sports family.
“George was such a gentleman. His commitment to all of the sports at Northeastern University was so apparent . . . making sure the Varsity Club was supportive to all of the sports and whatever they needed,” Pojednic said. “He really believed in relationship building. That was how he went about it. He was just such a fixture at Northeastern. He was so good at bringing large groups of people together in order to give back.”
Makris was an iconic figure around the many NU sports facilities for upward of nearly eight decades. Although his athletic career was interrupted by World War II, Makris managed to earn letters as an offensive guard and defensive tackle in 1941 before returning to campus and captain the 1947 NU football squad. Makris also earned one letter on the baseball team and in his spare time decided to serve as hockey manager. That is, until injuries forced him to don the skates and pads and fill in as a goaltender, earning yet another letter in ice hockey.
Makris was also a success in the business world, working at the Electrolux Corporation for 22 years. After retiring from the corporate world, he became NU Varsity Club president and treasurer. He also became the first director of athletics development.
Makris was inducted into the Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1983 and later saw its function facility named the George Makris Varsity Club Room in his honor. At Makris’ wake this week, NU associate athletic director Mike Winsor carried Makris’ original leather football helmet, which he had worn in the 1940s and later donated to the university, to show to the family.
“George was a great friend to so many people,” said Varsity Club president Jim O’Shaughnessy. “It’s sad to see that he has passed. He did live a great life. We’re going to miss him.”