Drexel University Athletics
Drexel Mourns the Loss of Hall of Famer George Sawchak
8/25/2021 4:03:00 PM | Drexel Athletics
PHILADELPHIA – The Drexel University Athletic Department mourns the loss of Hall of Famer George Sawchak '63.
Sawchak was a member of the 1958 undefeated men's soccer national championship team that went 12-0-0. He was one of five players that season for the Dragons named All-Middle Atlantic Conference.
In addition to his efforts on the pitch, Sawchak was a member of the men's tennis team, winning a then record 16 singles matches in a row. His love of tennis was demonstrated throughout his life, including founding the Delaware Valley Tennis Club. He passed his affinity for the game to his two daughters, Tania and Leda, both of whom played for the Drexel women's tennis program and were key members of teams that won nine matches in three consecutive seasons from 1987-90 and compiled a .730 team winning percentage.
A member of Drexel's ROTC program, Sawchak graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army's engineering branch at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. He served until 1967, working his way up to the rank of captain.
Following his time in the service, he returned to Philadelphia to pursue his MBA at Drexel and worked as the Director of Engineering for several high-profile companies including FMC Link-Belt Corp., British Tyre and Rubber, and Rexnord Corp.
Born in 1939 in Lviv, Ukraine, he came to the United States in 1950 and attended Bishop Neumann High School, competing in soccer, basketball, and track before attending Drexel.
Visiting hours will be from 9:00-10:15 a.m. at Annunciation of the BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church in Melrose Park, Pa. The family of George Sawchak strongly suggests if you are attending the services on Saturday, that you wear a mask in light of the increased danger from the spread of the Covid-19 variants.
Sawchak was a member of the 1958 undefeated men's soccer national championship team that went 12-0-0. He was one of five players that season for the Dragons named All-Middle Atlantic Conference.
In addition to his efforts on the pitch, Sawchak was a member of the men's tennis team, winning a then record 16 singles matches in a row. His love of tennis was demonstrated throughout his life, including founding the Delaware Valley Tennis Club. He passed his affinity for the game to his two daughters, Tania and Leda, both of whom played for the Drexel women's tennis program and were key members of teams that won nine matches in three consecutive seasons from 1987-90 and compiled a .730 team winning percentage.
A member of Drexel's ROTC program, Sawchak graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army's engineering branch at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. He served until 1967, working his way up to the rank of captain.
Following his time in the service, he returned to Philadelphia to pursue his MBA at Drexel and worked as the Director of Engineering for several high-profile companies including FMC Link-Belt Corp., British Tyre and Rubber, and Rexnord Corp.
Born in 1939 in Lviv, Ukraine, he came to the United States in 1950 and attended Bishop Neumann High School, competing in soccer, basketball, and track before attending Drexel.
Visiting hours will be from 9:00-10:15 a.m. at Annunciation of the BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church in Melrose Park, Pa. The family of George Sawchak strongly suggests if you are attending the services on Saturday, that you wear a mask in light of the increased danger from the spread of the Covid-19 variants.
Thursday, July 20
Tuesday, February 28
Saturday, January 21
Thursday, December 01