While most of the country was remembering George Steinbrenner as an icon in baseball Tuesday, members of the U.S. Olympic Committee recalled his huge contributions to the Olympic movement.
Steinbrenner was a USOC vice president for two quadrennials, from 1988 to 1996, and served as chairman of the U.S. Olympic Foundation until retiring in 2002. He is credited with helping improve Team USA’s success at a time when the USOC was at a crossroads.
“George Steinbrenner always had the best interests of the athletes in mind in discussions, actions and their support,” said Bill Hybl, a former USOC president. “It not only was the support of the athlete, but their training and the discipline to win was very important to him.”
Mike Moran, a former USOC spokesman, said Steinbrenner’s influence was huge at a critical time for the USOC. Steinbrenner chaired an overview committee after the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, when the U.S. won only six medals. Steinbrenner provided the committee report to the USOC board the next year. His message was straight to the point.
“Winning medals must always be the primary goal,” Steinbrenner wrote as a reminder of the organization’s purpose.
The committee’s 21-page report resulted in a significant shake-up in the USOC’s operation. It stressed that meeting the needs of U.S. Olympians should be first on the USOC’s agenda. Specifically, the report recommended the USOC streamline its administration, gain more cooperation and accountability from the national governing bodies of each Olympic sport and maximize USOC revenues through more aggressive marketing and fundraising.
Steinbrenner displayed a different personality in his dealings with Olympic officials than he did in baseball. He was known to have provided financial assistance with his own money to several U.S. Olympians.
“He enjoyed being part of the Olympic crowd,” Moran said. “He made a huge contribution.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
