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George "Nick" Holmes - Reedsburg

03/01/1995, 12:00am CST
By Wisconsin Sports Network

Inducted in 1995

Graduate of Baraboo High School, June, 1944, B.S. Degree in Natural Science major/P.E. minor from UW-Madison, 1950, M.S. Degree in Guidance/P.E. from UW-Madison, 1960, Additional graduate credit from UW-Superior, University of Minnesota, Idaho State University, University of Idaho, University of Wyoming, University of Montana, and Montana State University

Nick played football and basketball at Baraboo High School where he captained a team that was undefeated, untied and unscored upon while averaging 39 points per game. During that season, Nick set a scoring record that stood throughout the history of the Southern Ten Conference. Nick entered UW-Madison in 1944, where he played quarterback on Harry Stuhldreher's football team at age 17. Nick left the University to serve two years in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He returned to UW-Madison in 1950, where he was awarded a B.S. Degree.

Nick spent a total of 39 years as a public school educator. He started his coaching career as a student assistant at Wisconsin High School under Hal Metzen. His first paying job was at Montello High School where he coached six-man football and taught science and math. In 1952 he began his career at Reedsburg as a football and basketball coach, as well as serving as the Athletic Director. Nick was the football coach at Reedsburg for 13 years and his final record stood at 82-22. During his final 10 years, starting with the 1955 team, Nick's teams won a total of 72 games, while losing only 8, and during that time were five times undefeated South Central Champions. In 1959-60 they were undefeated for 17 consecutive games and went undefeated for 23 consecutive games in 1961-64.

Nick also served as the head basketball coach for nine seasons and organized Reedsburg's baseball program. As a basketball coach, his teams were 120-52, winning three South Central Conference championships. During the 1959-60 season his team was 18-0. His baseball record included three championships and a state runner-up trophy at the State Tournament in his four seasons as coach. Now, 30 years later, when the Reedsburg Times Press mentions Nick, he is often described as "that coach who never seemed to lose at anything."

Nick’s coaching career spanned a total of 14 years, but he remained in education another 25 years as a high school principal or superintendent in Wisconsin, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. Nick has always considered himself a "school teacher" and he is forever indebted to the multitude of fine Reedsburg boys who wanted so badly to be the best.

Tag(s): Hall of Fame