George V. Brown

George V. Brown (21 October 1880 – 17 October 1937) of Hopkinton, Massachusetts championed the development of various sports and sporting events in the United States, most notably the Boston Marathon and amateur ice hockey.

From 1904 to 1936, Brown served the United States Olympic Team as a manager, official, and coach. In 1919, he became general manager of the Boston Arena, home to indoor track meets, boxing matches, and hockey games, among other events. Later, he continued in that role at the Boston Garden until his son Walter A. Brown took over upon George’s death at age 57.

Boston Athletic Association and Boston Marathon

In 1899, Brown was hired as an assistant to the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) Athletic Director. For 33 years, from 1905 to 1937, Brown served as starter of the BAA’s Boston Marathon, the oldest annually run marathon. For 11 of those years, he also managed the race.

From 1905 to 1921, Brown managed the BAA track and field games, and for over 20 years, served as the BAA Director of Athletics. In 1910, Brown started and managed an ice hockey team, and formed a football team for the BAA.

Brown also served on the BAA Governing Committee for 20 years, having transitioned from club employee to club member and leader.

Ice hockey

During Brown’s youth, hockey was in its infancy in the United States. In 1910, Brown formed and managed an amateur ice hockey team for the BAA, which played at the newly constructed Boston Arena.

Over the next two decades,...
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