By SCOTT NOVAK
Dowagiac Daily News

The late George Werner, who coached the Dowagiac Chieftains from 1978 through 1981, will be honored at a memorial on Friday, July 16 at the Lions Club.

Werner, who died after a lengthy battle with cancer in Florida last month, coached Dowagiac to a 30-6 record during his four seasons, including a perfect 9-0 mark in 1981.

The Chieftains capped that season with a 16-0 victory over arch rival Niles at Chris Taylor-Alumni Field.

The memorial will be held from 5-9 p.m. and is casual dress according to son Randy Werner. Food will be served.

Werner left Dowagiac to coach at Tarpon Springs High School, where he posted an 82-42 overall record from 1982 until 1993.

He resigned three games into the 1993 season and never returned to coaching due to health issues.

Werner was a graduate of the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut and then spent 30 years coaching in Connecticut, New York, Arizona and Michigan.

He spent three years as an assistant at the University of Arizona.

While at Tarpon Springs, Werner’s teams won six district titles and reached the state championship game in 1986, where it lost to Fort Lauderdale Dillard 14-6.

Tarpon Springs led that game 6-0.

It was the only appearance ever for Tarpon Springs in the state title game.

In his 30-year career, Werner compiled a 141-65-1 record.

He remained in the Tampa Bay area after leaving coaching, but lived in Sarasota, Fla. the past few years.

The memorial is open to the public.