George A. May

George Augustus May (July 8, 1872 – March 28, 1948) was an American gymnast, athletic trainer, and professor of physical education. A native of Philadelphia, he gained acclaim as a gymnast as a young man. He then worked for Yale University from 1896 to 1901 and for the University of Michigan from 1901 to 1942. He was a trainer and professor of physical education at Michigan.

George A. May
May from the 1948 Michiganensian
Born(1872-07-08)July 8, 1872
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedMarch 28, 1948(1948-03-28) (aged 75)
Ann Arbor, Michigan
CitizenshipUnited States
Years active1901–1942
Known forAthletic trainer and administrator

Early years

May was born in Philadelphia in 1872. His parents, George and Sophia May, were both natives of Hanover, Germany.[1][2] His father was a baker.[1] As a young man, he gained note as a gymnast in Philadelphia.[3]

Professional career

Yale

May moved to New Haven, Connecticut in 1896 to become an instructor in gymnastics at Yale University and received an M.D. from the Yale Medical School in 1901.[4] He worked for five years as an instructor in gymnastics at Yale in 1896.[3]

Michigan

In 1901, May was hired by the University of Michigan as an instructor and physical examiner at the Waterman Gymnasium.[5][6] In 1910, he was appointed as a professor of physical training and director of Waterman Gymnasium.[7][8] He was also the trainer of the undefeated 1918 Michigan Wolverines football team that has been recognized as a national championship team.[9] In 1922, he was promoted from the position of assistant professor to associate professor of physical education.[10] May continued to be employed by the University of Michigan for 41 years.[5] As of 1935, he still conducted a rigorous daily workout at age 64 and had reportedly not missed a day of work in 40 years.[3] He retired in 1942 after reaching the compulsory retirement age of 70 and was granted the title associate professor emeritus of physical education.[5][11] At the time of his retirement, he was still able to "swing expertly" on the parallel bars at the Waterman Gymnasium.[12]

Family and later years

May married Anna Marie Vaughan of Cleveland on New Year's Eve 1927.[4][13] She died in 1933.[4] They had no children.[12] He died March 28, 1948 in Michigan's University Hospital.[4][14] He left a trust fund valued at $124,000 to the University of Michigan for athletic scholarships under the name "The Dr. George A. May Scholarship Fund".[15]

See also

References
  1. 1900 Census entry for George May and family. Year: 1900; Census Place: Philadelphia Ward 17, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1459; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0319; FHL microfilm: 1241459. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
  2. 1920 Census entry for George May. Year: 1920; Census Place: Ann Arbor Ward 6, Washtenaw, Michigan; Roll: T625_799; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 138; Image: 945. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
  3. "The Doc: He's Still Fit; Exercise Keeps Him on Job Every Day for 40 Years". Detroit Free Press. March 17, 1935. p. 10.
  4. "A Figure Known to Thousands Is Gone". The Michigan Alumnus. 54 (19): 345–46. 24 April 1948. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  5. "Memoir George A. May". University of Michigan. July 1942.
  6. "Dr. May of Yale, To Be Instructor at Waterman Gymnasium at U. of M." Detroit Free Press. June 11, 1901. p. 3.
  7. "Kraenzlein New Coach at Michigan, With May Taking Fitz's Titles: Last Named Is Now Field Professor of Physical Training and Director of Waterman Gymnasium--New Man Will Coach Track Team and Will Care for Physical Condition of All Athletic Squads". Detroit Free Press. March 5, 1910. p. 8.
  8. "New Trainer at Michigan: A. C. Kraenzlein Succeeds Keene Fitzpatrick at Michigan" (PDF). The New York Times. March 5, 1910.
  9. "1918 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  10. "Changes in Position". The Michigan Alumnus. May 4, 1922. p. 820.
  11. "Molders of Athletes: Death Takes C. H. Brennan, 'Doc' May". Detroit Free Press. March 30, 1948. p. 14.
  12. "Noted U. of M. Teacher Dies: Dr. George A. May Succumbs Sunday". The News-Palladium. March 29, 1948. p. 14.
  13. Marriage record for George A. May and Anna M. Vaughan. Cuyahoga County Archive; Cleveland, Ohio; Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Marriage Records, 1810-1973; Volume: Vol 151-152; Page: 475; Year Range: 1927 Oct - 1928 Apr. Ancestry.com. Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Marriage Records and Indexes, 1810-1973 [database on-line].
  14. "Dr. George A. May". The Ludington Daily News. March 29, 1948. p. 8.
  15. "Dr. May's Will Benefits U-M Athletes". Detroit Free Press. May 15, 1948. p. 14.
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