Hall of Fame
John "Geechee" Arthur Varnedoe Jr. graduated with a bachelor of arts after a highly involved collegiate career.
Varnedoe was voted “Neatest” in his year by his classmates. He was the Assistant Business Manager of the Yamacraw Yearbook, vice-president of his senior class, president of his junior class, manager of the baseball team, vice-president of the Player's Club, manager of the basketball team, plus a member of the O Club, the Bachelor's Club, Boar's Head Honorary Fraternity, and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.
Varnedoe spent two years at the University of Georgia, then transferred to Oglethorpe as a sophomore in 1920. He played quarterback for three years
From the 1923 yearbook: "John's career at Oglethorpe is one of which he may well be proud. His ability as an athlete is unexcelled. Especially would we mention him in connection with football... 'Geechee' — a pretty name for a girl to say, isn't it? — "Geechee"! And many a girl has said it, too, I guess, for "Geech" (we abbreviate it masculinely) you know, is a most approved lounge-hound, and tea-lizard. But now, to keep the Editor from being shot, I will add that "Geech" is a dare-devil football player, a dashing student, and a "demmed fine chap," in spite of a few curious habits."
After graduation Varndedoe became a high school football coach, beginning at Emanuel Constitute for the 1923 season, then at Newnan High School for 1924. He finally settled back in his home town and alma mater, coaching and serving as principal of Savannah High School. He led Savannah to four straight No.1 region rankings from 1927 through 1930, and continued coaching football until 1936. He moved their team out of the sandlots and into an actual stadium, and coached the first night game ever played in Savannah. He coached the football team and basketball teams to two state titles each. His 1936 and 37 basketball teams also won the sectional high school tournament, and one of them advanced to the semifinals of the high school national championships.
In 1927 Varnedoe earned a graduate degree from Mercer. In 1934 he advised a meeting of the special rules committee of the Football Coaches Association of America, which convened in the New York Athletic Club, on rule changes that still apply to the game today. Many of his former players have gone on to teh collegiate, professional, and coaching levels.
He was inducted to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1956 and to the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame in 1966. His children and grandchildren also went on to become stellar athletes, contributing to sports and education in Savannah and Georgia as a whole. The John A Varnedoe Auditorium, used by the Savannah Arts Academy, is named in his honor.
Varnedoe was born on July 16, 1901 as the fifth of seven children. He married Beatrice Smith on December 19th, 1939. he passed away on June 12, 1952 at age 50.
The entire Varnedoe family was dedicated to advancing education in Savannah, and making the city a great place to live. His family's estate is still a historic site known as the DeMars-Varnedoe tract or Majestic Oaks. His brothers Ashton and Clarence were both teachers under him at Savannah High School. Most notably, John Varnedoe's nephew Kirk was the chief curator of painting and sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) from 1988 to 2001, and an art history professor in New York for many years. Kirk also had an incredible football career at Williams College. The family also includes doctors, local legends, priests, bankers, and activists; all prominent in the Savannah community.
