Tribe of Vikings Hall of Fame
From 1989 to 1992, George Annang anchored the interior defensive line for Coach Bob Reade's Augustana football powerhouse. As a four-year starter he helped the Vikings post a 30-8 overall record during that time—including a 27-4 mark in College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin play—claim two conference titles and make two NCAA Division III playoff appearances. For a stellar career which included three first team all-league selections, the 1992 CCIW Defensive Player of the Year award and multiple All-America honors, he has been elected to the Tribe of Vikings Hall of Fame.
Annang arrived at Augustana in the fall of 1989 after a tremendous career at Bogan High School in Chicago, Illinois. He was a team captain and MVP for the Bengals and earned All-Conference, All-City and All-State recognition.
The 6', 290-pound Annang was named Most Outstanding Freshman for Augustana's 1989 NCAA Division III playoff qualifier. He recorded 27 tackles for a Viking squad that finished 8-2 overall and placed second in the CCIW with a 7-1 mark.
Larry Johnsen, who was the defensive coordinator during Annang's time at Augustana, had this to say about his standout defensive tackle. "I vividly remember that Bob put a great amount of effort when recruiting George," he commented. "He really liked George as a person and the upbeat smiling personality and he was really a good player. The thing that really impressed us was how hard he worked to be successful."
Annang was named first team All-CCIW as a sophomore in 1990 as Augustana again finished 8-2 overall and 7-1 in the CCIW. In the team's regular season finale at Millikin, he recorded five tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage, as the Vikings handed the Big Blue its first conference loss in two years, 17-12, to claim a share of the CCIW title. Reade's crew made another Division III playoff appearance, falling 24-14 at Dayton in the opening round despite six stops and a pass breakup by Annang.
As a junior, Annang shared the team lead in tackles-for-loss (10), sacks (four) and fumble recoveries (three). A repeat selection to the All-CCIW first team, he spearheaded an Augustana defense that posted five shutouts. He finished with 50 tackles, including a career-best 26 solo stops, as the Vikings went 8-1 and captured the CCIW title outright.
A spectacular senior season in 1992 saw Annang garner first team All-CCIW honors for the third straight year as well as the league's Defensive Player of the Year award. In addition, he was named to the All-America teams of Kodak, Football Gazette and Champion. He logged 62 total tackles, including eight for loss and a team-high seven sacks. The Vikings bounced back from a pair of setbacks to open the season, finishing 6-3, with a second-place 6-1 mark in conference play.
As Annang continued his education and eventually moved into the workforce, his playing days weren't over. For 11 seasons from 1994 to 2004, he found time to suit up for the Chicago Falcons semi-pro outfit. He helped the team claim six Midwest Football League championships, earning team captain and Defensive Player of the Year recognition along the way. In 2015, he was elected to the Falcons' Hall of Fame and four years later was inducted into the American Football Association Hall of Fame.
A social work major, George graduated from Augustana in 1993 and went on to earn his master's degree in human services administration from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois. For the past 26 years, he's worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family services. As a Public Service Administrator, he manages staff that regulates and monitors licensed homes and child care facilities. He's also worked as a Child Welfare Specialist and Child Protective Investigator for IDCFS.
"Coach Reade was always interested in the character of the young men he recruited," recalled Johnsen. "He didn't have to worry about that with George. While he was playing at Augustana our staff knew George was a great player but when his career ended, those who were around him on a daily basis knew that he was a better person and a leader who could elevate others. That big smile was infectious."
George and his wife Christine have been married 26 years and have two sons—Jalen and Brandon. The couple resides in Lynwood, Illinois. Christine, also a 1993 Augustana graduate, earned her master's degree from Chicago State University and serves as a Licensed Social Worker for Franciscan Health Care.
Annang called his time at Augustana "priceless" and "the greatest four years of my life," adding "I wouldn't trade it for anything. Playing for legendary Coach Bob Reade says it all! What an experience."
