George A. Ulmer, Jr.
George Alwyn Ulmer, Jr was born June 18, 1922 in Rincon, Georgia. He attended Lanier High School in Macon, Georgia where he played football. Mr. Ulmer began coaching in 1953 in Savannah, Georgia. He helped organize Midget football at the City of Savannah Recreation Department along with H.D. McDougold and Billy Regan. They coached the Housing Authority team to the City Championship from 1953-1956. Mr. Ulmer also coached the Savannah Gas team from 1957-1959. He coached the Plumbers and Pipe fitters and Savannah Gas Pony league baseball teams from 1955-1960 in Savannah. He and George Patten Rahn organized Midget football in Springfield at he elementary school in 1960. From 1962-1965, he coached Little League Baseball in Springfield, where he coached his son, Woody. He also coached American League baseball from 1969-1970, where he also coached his son. From 1961-1967, he coached Pony League baseball in Springfield, coaching his son in 1966-1967, and in Colt League in 1968-1969.
Mr. Ulmer also organized the first senior girls softball team in 1972, which went on to win the State Championship. Some of his other coaching accomplishments were: 1970-Peewee boys baseball North Effingham Champions, and Junior girls softball 1st runner up. In 1972, he coached Peewee football in Springfield. In 1973, he won 1st District Senior Girls Championship in softball and State runner up. In 1977, he coached ECRD Senior Girls softball Champs, 1st District Champs and 3rd place in State. In 1978, T-ball softball Champs and Peewee Girls basketball county Champs, 1979 1st District and State Seniors Girls softball Champs, ECRD Midget Girls basketball Champs and State Champs. In 1980 Midget girls basketball Champs and Senior Girls softball county Champs, 1981 GRPA District champs Midget Girls basketball. In 1982, senior girls softball county Champs and ECRD Women’s Volleyball Champs. Mr. Ulmer was named Coach of the Year in 1983 and coached Midget girls basketball Champs. IN 1984, Midget girls basketball Champs, 1985 Women’s volleyball open league Champs, 1987 Senior Girls softball county runner up, and District Champs 1st runner up. In 1988, he coached the Midget Girls basketball Champion, he was coaching this team at his death and they went undefeated after his death.
In 1978, the Springfield ball field was named George A. Ulmer Park on the 25th Anniversary of his coaching career. In 2001, the first annual George A. Ulmer Cracker Football Bowl was played. He was married to Margaret Thompson who passed away in 2001. Mr. Ulmer passed away November 15, 1988. He was survived by his wife, his daughter Sharon, his son Woody, daughter in law Martha, and his three grandsons Gabriel, Jarrett, and Zachary, who are also involved in sports. His family was very involved in his coaching career as scorekeepers and assistant coaches. Woody and Sharon both followed in their father’s footsteps by coaching several teams.