By Msgr. Noel Burtenshaw

Every year he’s Man of the Year to so many. This year, as we close out 1982, The Georgia Bulletin says he is North Georgia’s Catholic Man of the Year.

He is George Bernard Maloof, Atlanta Catholic, leader of youth and for 25 years head coach and athletic director at St. Pius X High School.

In September 1957, as the new high school was opening, Monsignor Cornelius Maloney, superintendent of the fledgling school system of the new Atlanta diocese, hired his first employee for the new St. Pius. That employee was George Maloof.

He had been All American high school star at Marist. He had been a record breaking goal getter for Georgia Tech and having served in the Air Force and coached for a short time at Smith High School and his alma mater, Marist, his career began at St. Pius.

Says Father Terry Young, principal of St. Pius, “In the past 25 years George Maloof has coached almost 2,000 boys in football and influenced thousands more. He is dedicated to the moral and spiritual philosophy of the school … and his personal faith and devotion is exemplary.”

His influence has certainly reached out to thousands of young Atlanta Catholics and they all remember him. Many still contact him and on the streets he is a well recognized figure.

“’Hey Coach’ is a familiar call no matter where we go,” says George Maloof’s pretty wife, Anita. “If we go to a movie or shopping or out to eat, always we meet them. They come up to George with a smile and a hand out. ‘Hey coach it’s good to see you.’ He remembers them.”

Anita tells the story of being out to eat with her famous husband recently and after paying the bill, George found that the wrong change had been given him. He returned to the restaurant sometime later and explained to the cashier what had happened. The young woman was questioning what George said when suddenly a voice rang out from an employee in some corner of the restaurant. “Give him the proper change. That’s Coach Maloof. He’s an honest man.”

That’s how George Maloof is seen and appreciated throughout the Archdiocese of Atlanta. He is a special favorite of the priests in the Atlanta area. They recognize this man as dedicated to the Gospel message, a message he carries to young people every day of his life.

Monsignor Donald Kiernan, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, has known George and his family since 1949 when he was first assigned to Atlanta. “George was the first one to greet me at the Immaculate Conception rectory on the day I arrived,” says Monsignor. “He was a star at Tech but he was a star in parish life too. He was always generous with his time and talent around the parish.”

George Maloof was born in Atlanta where his parents, John and Sadie, who are still living, were life-long members of Immaculate Conception parish. He has two brothers, John, who teaches at St. Anthony’s School in West End Atlanta and Wiley, who is in the dry cleaning business.

George’s first wife died and five years ago he married Anita Sawyer. They have five children, Kevin, Karen and Kathy live away from home. Keith and Brett are with their parents.

On Saturday, Jan. 15, the staff, parents and former students will honor George with a dinner on the occasion of his 25^th anniversary as coach at St. Pius. In November 1982, George received the Papal Medal – Benemerenti – from Pope John Paul II for outstanding service to the church.

Now, the Catholics of North Georgia add their special touch. We remember him as outstanding servant of our youth. For this memorable work among us, George Maloof is our Man of the Year.