George Starke
Encyclopedia
George Lawrence Starke is a former American football
offensive lineman who played for the Washington Redskins
in the National Football League
from 1972-84.
After graduating from Columbia College
, Starke was drafted by the Washington Redskins
and appeared with the Redskins in three Super Bowls - 1972
, 1982
and 1983
, helping them win Super Bowl
XVII
.
Starke's professional football career lasted thirteen years and, at the time of his retirement, Starke had been captain of the Redskins for five years. He was named one of the 70 greatest players in Redskins history.
The 6'5", 255-pound Starke was known by many as the "Head Hog" of "The Hogs
," the Redskins' famous offensive line which also included Russ Grimm
, Fred Dean
, Mark May
, Joe Jacoby
and Jeff Bostic
. The Hogs stayed together with a few other later additions nearly a decade after Starke's retirement in 1984
.
Following his retirement from professional football, Starke attended Ford Motors Dealer Operations School and opened "George Starke Ford" in Emmitsburg, Maryland. At the same time, he launched a career in television broadcasting.
In 1997, Starke founded the "Excel Institute" in Washington, D.C.
, a not-for profit adult education vocational training school for at risk individuals above the age of sixteen. After graduating over 500 students trained as auto technicians, Starke retired from the Institute on October 1, 2010.
Starke's other endeavors include "Head Hog BBQ" restaurants in Bethesda, Maryland
and Rockville, Maryland
named after the famous Washington Redskins offensive line of which he was the senior member.
Following his retirement from the Institute, Starke started Starke Communications, a communications firm that provides communications, public relations and marketing services to corporate clients.
and attended public schools there. His father, "George Starke, Sr." was a high school principal in Yonkers, New York
and his mother, "Shirley Starke" was a registered nurse.
Upon graduation from New Rochelle High School, Starke received a series of football awards including All Westchester County, All Metropolitan, All State and All American. He is entered into the New Rochelle Hall of Fame and Westchester County Hall of Fame.
after having traveled much of the United States on a college tour that was sponsored by the many institutions offering him admission and full scholarships. The last college he visited prior to accepting Columbia College was Notre Dame
. Had he gone there, he would have teamed with Notre Dame's quarterback Joe Theisman who later teamed with Starke in the Super Bowl
victory over the Miami Dolphins
.
One last attempt to side track Starke's Columbia decision was made by the University of Virginia
, which offered him the opportunity to not only attend their school on full scholarship, but also be the person to desegregate their college. Starke declined this offer.
While at Columbia College in New York City
, Starke led his college football team in receptions as a tight end
in 1969. At Columbia, Starke majored in physics and, in addition to football, also played center on a Columbia
basketball team that featured All Americans Jim McMillan and Haywood Dotsun. That Columbia basketball team would rise in the collegiate national basketball rankings to number 2 in the United States just below UCLA.
During his matriculation at Columbia, Starke dabbled in many different majors, including art history, architecture, fine arts and invited the famous actor/writer Ossie Davis
to the Columbia campus to help him found the Columbia University Film School.
In 1983, Starke received the Columbia University's highest graduate award, the "John Jay Award
" for prestigious graduate achievement.
, Starke was cut by the Redskins and went to Kansas City, Missouri
to try out for the Kansas City Chiefs
. After spending the remainder of the training camp with the Chiefs and being told he would make the squad, Starke was the last player cut by head coach Hank Stram
just before the season began. In July 1972, Starke journeyed to Thousand Oaks, California
to try out for the Dallas Cowboys
. The Cowboys trained in the hills 40 miles north of Los Angeles
to escape the heat of suburban Dallas, Texas
. After six weeks of training camp with the Cowboys, Starke was cut but he was asked by the Redskins to return and try again.
One year later and one year wiser, Starke made the Redskins roster. Placed originally on the taxi squad, Starke eventually moved up to the regular roster and by mid 1973 the starting position as right tackle. Initially, Starke played on coach George Allen's "Over the Hill Gang" and by 1979 under coach Jack Pardee
, he was named offensive captain of the team. In 1981 under new coach Joe Gibbs
, a young group of offensive linemen developed. This group, which became known as the "The Hogs
" later went on to become the most famous offensive group of linemen to ever play in the National Football League
. Regardless of the fact that he was ten years older than the rest, Starke became their leader and as such he became known as the "Head Hog".
Starke's first Super Bowl was with the "Over the Hill Gang" in 1972. Later with the "Hogs", Starke returned for Super Bowl XVII
and Super Bowl XVIII
after the 1982 football season and 1983 football season winning the first against the Miami Dolphins
and losing the second against the Oakland Raiders
. Starke's last full football season was 1984. He retired during training camp in 1985.
oversight. "Super Hogs" created a clothing line, beer company, sold various "Hogs" themes merchandise and produced the two most successful football posters of all times: (1) Hogs Night Out and (2) The Grave Yard Dogs.
in September 1985, Starke began working simultaneously on two careers. He was accepted into Ford Motor Companies Dealer Operations Training School in Baltimore, Maryland. Two years later, he graduated and along with a partner opened "George Starke Ford" in Emmitsburg, Maryland
.
At the same time, Starke began his career in television broadcasting building on his many T.V. appearances in conjunction with local sports personalities who interviewed him as captain of the Washington Redskins
. These interview shows included regular appearances with Glen Brenner - Local Channel 9, Bernie Smilovitz - Local Fox Channel 5 and others. After his retirement from pro football, Starke hosted PM Magazine
and co-hosted the show "Redskins Saturday Night" with Pete Wysocki
. In addition, Starke began working as a host for Hometeam Sports (Comcast
) and a color commentator for ESPN College Football
and CBS National Football League Boradcasts co-hosted with James Brown
.
The "Redskins Saturday Night" shows went on to win several local Emmies. In 1989, Starke founded a beer company called "Head Hog Premium Beer" that sold beer within the historic Redskins broadcast footprint, which extended from Delaware
in the north to Georgia
in the south. That company evolved into "Head Hog BBQ Restaurants" in Bethesda, Maryland
and Rockville, Maryland
.
In 1996 being alarmed by the spike in youth violence in the District of Columbia and determining that violence was primarily a job issue, that involved a large number of youth who were illiterate and therefore unemployable, rather than a crime issue, Starke founded a not-for profit job training facility he named the Excel Institute. The Institute was designed as a two year adult education program for at risk youth above the age of sixteen that provides basic education, life skills counseling and autotech vocational training. Two basic tenets of the Institute were that (1) anyone above the age of sixteen who wanted to attend was admitted and (2) all students were on full scholarship - i.e., nobody had to pay. In October 2010, after graduating over 500 students, Starke retired from management and the Board of the Excel Institute.
After retirement from the Institute, Starke founded Starke Communications, a communications firm that provides communications, PR and marketing services to corporate clients. Starke Communications also provides motivational speakers for its clients.
. They share their residence with the family dog "Mr. BiG", a 5-pound Chihuahua.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
offensive lineman who played for the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
from 1972-84.
After graduating from Columbia College
Columbia College of Columbia University
Columbia College is the oldest undergraduate college at Columbia University, situated on the university's main campus in Morningside Heights in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded in 1754 by the Church of England as King's College, receiving a Royal Charter from King George II...
, Starke was drafted by the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
and appeared with the Redskins in three Super Bowls - 1972
1972 NFL season
The 1972 NFL season was the 53rd regular season of the National Football League. The Miami Dolphins became the first NFL team to finish a championship season undefeated and untied when they beat the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII.-Major rule changes:...
, 1982
1982 NFL season
The 1982 NFL season was the 63rd regular season of the National Football League. A 57-day long players' strike reduced the 1982 season from a 16-game schedule per team to an abbreviated nine game schedule...
and 1983
1983 NFL season
The 1983 NFL season was the 64th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XVIII when the Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins.-Major rule changes:...
, helping them win Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
XVII
Super Bowl XVII
Super Bowl XVII was an American football game played on January 30, 1983 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the strike-shortened 1982 regular season...
.
Starke's professional football career lasted thirteen years and, at the time of his retirement, Starke had been captain of the Redskins for five years. He was named one of the 70 greatest players in Redskins history.
The 6'5", 255-pound Starke was known by many as the "Head Hog" of "The Hogs
The Hogs (American football)
The Hogs was the nickname for the offensive line of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League during the 1980s and early 1990s. Renowned for their ability to control the line of scrimmage, the Hogs helped the Redskins win three Super Bowl championships under head coach Joe Gibbs...
," the Redskins' famous offensive line which also included Russ Grimm
Russ Grimm
Russell Scott Grimm is a former American football guard for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. As a collegian, he was an All-American center at the University of Pittsburgh. As a professional, Grimm had multi-selections to both the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams, and was...
, Fred Dean
Fred Dean
Frederick Rudolph "Fred" Dean is a former American football player in the National Football League, and a member of the NFL Hall of Fame. His career started with the San Diego Chargers in 1975 and ended with the San Francisco 49ers after the 1985 season. Dean was born in Arcadia, the seat of...
, Mark May
Mark May
Mark Eric May is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He is currently a football analyst for ESPN.-Football career:...
, Joe Jacoby
Joe Jacoby
Joseph Erwin Jacoby is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins...
and Jeff Bostic
Jeff Bostic
Jeffrey Lynn Bostic is a former American football offensive lineman who played for the Washington Redskins in the National Football League.-College career:...
. The Hogs stayed together with a few other later additions nearly a decade after Starke's retirement in 1984
1984 NFL season
The 1984 NFL season was the 65th regular season of the National Football League. The Colts relocated from Baltimore, Maryland to Indianapolis, Indiana....
.
Following his retirement from professional football, Starke attended Ford Motors Dealer Operations School and opened "George Starke Ford" in Emmitsburg, Maryland. At the same time, he launched a career in television broadcasting.
In 1997, Starke founded the "Excel Institute" in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, a not-for profit adult education vocational training school for at risk individuals above the age of sixteen. After graduating over 500 students trained as auto technicians, Starke retired from the Institute on October 1, 2010.
Starke's other endeavors include "Head Hog BBQ" restaurants in Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
and Rockville, Maryland
Rockville, Maryland
Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a major incorporated city in the central part of Montgomery County and forms part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. The 2010 U.S...
named after the famous Washington Redskins offensive line of which he was the senior member.
Following his retirement from the Institute, Starke started Starke Communications, a communications firm that provides communications, public relations and marketing services to corporate clients.
Early years
Starke grew up in New Rochelle, New YorkNew Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state.The town was settled by refugee Huguenots in 1688 who were fleeing persecution in France...
and attended public schools there. His father, "George Starke, Sr." was a high school principal in Yonkers, New York
Yonkers, New York
Yonkers is the fourth most populous city in the state of New York , and the most populous city in Westchester County, with a population of 195,976...
and his mother, "Shirley Starke" was a registered nurse.
Upon graduation from New Rochelle High School, Starke received a series of football awards including All Westchester County, All Metropolitan, All State and All American. He is entered into the New Rochelle Hall of Fame and Westchester County Hall of Fame.
College career
Starke decided to attend Columbia CollegeColumbia College of Columbia University
Columbia College is the oldest undergraduate college at Columbia University, situated on the university's main campus in Morningside Heights in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded in 1754 by the Church of England as King's College, receiving a Royal Charter from King George II...
after having traveled much of the United States on a college tour that was sponsored by the many institutions offering him admission and full scholarships. The last college he visited prior to accepting Columbia College was Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
. Had he gone there, he would have teamed with Notre Dame's quarterback Joe Theisman who later teamed with Starke in the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
victory over the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
One last attempt to side track Starke's Columbia decision was made by the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, which offered him the opportunity to not only attend their school on full scholarship, but also be the person to desegregate their college. Starke declined this offer.
While at Columbia College in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Starke led his college football team in receptions as a tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
in 1969. At Columbia, Starke majored in physics and, in addition to football, also played center on a Columbia
Columbia Lions men's basketball
The Columbia Lions Basketball team is the basketball team that represents Columbia University in New York City, New York, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Ivy League. The team's last appearance in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament was in 1968...
basketball team that featured All Americans Jim McMillan and Haywood Dotsun. That Columbia basketball team would rise in the collegiate national basketball rankings to number 2 in the United States just below UCLA.
During his matriculation at Columbia, Starke dabbled in many different majors, including art history, architecture, fine arts and invited the famous actor/writer Ossie Davis
Ossie Davis
Ossie Davis was an American film actor, director, poet, playwright, writer, and social activist.-Early years:...
to the Columbia campus to help him found the Columbia University Film School.
In 1983, Starke received the Columbia University's highest graduate award, the "John Jay Award
John Jay Award
The John Jay Award is presented annually by Columbia College of Columbia University to its alumni for distinguished professional achievement. It is named for Founding Father of the United States John Jay, Columbia College Class of 1764. Previous recipients include many well-known professionals in a...
" for prestigious graduate achievement.
Pro Football
In spite of being drafted by the Redskins, Starke's pro football career had a rough start. Two weeks into Redskins training camp in Carlisle, PennsylvaniaCarlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle is a borough in and the county seat of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The name is traditionally pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable. Carlisle is located within the Cumberland Valley, a highly productive agricultural region. As of the 2010 census, the borough...
, Starke was cut by the Redskins and went to Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
to try out for the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
. After spending the remainder of the training camp with the Chiefs and being told he would make the squad, Starke was the last player cut by head coach Hank Stram
Hank Stram
Henry Louis "Hank" Stram was an American football coach. He is best known for his 15-year tenure with the American Football League's Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs and the Chiefs of the NFL. Stram won three AFL Championships and Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs...
just before the season began. In July 1972, Starke journeyed to Thousand Oaks, California
Thousand Oaks, California
Thousand Oaks is a city in southeastern Ventura County, California, in the United States. It was named after the many oak trees that grace the area, and the city seal is adorned with an oak....
to try out for the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. The Cowboys trained in the hills 40 miles north of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to escape the heat of suburban Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. After six weeks of training camp with the Cowboys, Starke was cut but he was asked by the Redskins to return and try again.
One year later and one year wiser, Starke made the Redskins roster. Placed originally on the taxi squad, Starke eventually moved up to the regular roster and by mid 1973 the starting position as right tackle. Initially, Starke played on coach George Allen's "Over the Hill Gang" and by 1979 under coach Jack Pardee
Jack Pardee
-NFL:-External links:...
, he was named offensive captain of the team. In 1981 under new coach Joe Gibbs
Joe Gibbs
Joe Jackson Gibbs is a former American football coach, NASCAR Championship team owner, and two time NHRA Pro Stock team owner. He was the 20th and 26th head coach in the history of the Washington Redskins...
, a young group of offensive linemen developed. This group, which became known as the "The Hogs
The Hogs (American football)
The Hogs was the nickname for the offensive line of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League during the 1980s and early 1990s. Renowned for their ability to control the line of scrimmage, the Hogs helped the Redskins win three Super Bowl championships under head coach Joe Gibbs...
" later went on to become the most famous offensive group of linemen to ever play in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Regardless of the fact that he was ten years older than the rest, Starke became their leader and as such he became known as the "Head Hog".
Starke's first Super Bowl was with the "Over the Hill Gang" in 1972. Later with the "Hogs", Starke returned for Super Bowl XVII
Super Bowl XVII
Super Bowl XVII was an American football game played on January 30, 1983 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the strike-shortened 1982 regular season...
and Super Bowl XVIII
Super Bowl XVIII
Super Bowl XVIII was an American football game played on January 22, 1984, at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida, deciding the National Football League champion following the 1983 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Los Angeles Raiders defeated the National Football Conference...
after the 1982 football season and 1983 football season winning the first against the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and losing the second against the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Starke's last full football season was 1984. He retired during training camp in 1985.
Life with the Hogs
Prior to retiring during the years 1983 and 1984, Starke capitalized on the notoriety of the "Hogs" by bringing them together getting each of them to invest $500.00 and forming a corporation called "Super Hogs". "Super Hogs" became the first professional athletes of any sport to market themselves outside of the National Football LeagueNational Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
oversight. "Super Hogs" created a clothing line, beer company, sold various "Hogs" themes merchandise and produced the two most successful football posters of all times: (1) Hogs Night Out and (2) The Grave Yard Dogs.
Life After the Skins
After retiring from the Washington RedskinsWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
in September 1985, Starke began working simultaneously on two careers. He was accepted into Ford Motor Companies Dealer Operations Training School in Baltimore, Maryland. Two years later, he graduated and along with a partner opened "George Starke Ford" in Emmitsburg, Maryland
Emmitsburg, Maryland
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,290 people, 811 households, and 553 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,992.9 people per square mile . There were 862 housing units at an average density of 750.2 per square mile...
.
At the same time, Starke began his career in television broadcasting building on his many T.V. appearances in conjunction with local sports personalities who interviewed him as captain of the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
. These interview shows included regular appearances with Glen Brenner - Local Channel 9, Bernie Smilovitz - Local Fox Channel 5 and others. After his retirement from pro football, Starke hosted PM Magazine
PM Magazine
PM/Evening Magazine was a television series with a news and entertainment format. It was syndicated to stations throughout the United States...
and co-hosted the show "Redskins Saturday Night" with Pete Wysocki
Pete Wysocki
Peter Joseph Wysocki is a former American football linebacker who played his entire six year career with the Washington Redskins from 1975 to 1980 in the National Football League. Wysocki previously played four seasons in the Canadian Football League for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Toronto Argonauts...
. In addition, Starke began working as a host for Hometeam Sports (Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
) and a color commentator for ESPN College Football
ESPN College Football
ESPN College Football is the branding used for broadcasts of NCAA Division I FBS college football across ESPN properties, including ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN Classic, ESPNU, and ESPN Radio...
and CBS National Football League Boradcasts co-hosted with James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
.
The "Redskins Saturday Night" shows went on to win several local Emmies. In 1989, Starke founded a beer company called "Head Hog Premium Beer" that sold beer within the historic Redskins broadcast footprint, which extended from Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
in the north to Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
in the south. That company evolved into "Head Hog BBQ Restaurants" in Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
and Rockville, Maryland
Rockville, Maryland
Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a major incorporated city in the central part of Montgomery County and forms part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. The 2010 U.S...
.
In 1996 being alarmed by the spike in youth violence in the District of Columbia and determining that violence was primarily a job issue, that involved a large number of youth who were illiterate and therefore unemployable, rather than a crime issue, Starke founded a not-for profit job training facility he named the Excel Institute. The Institute was designed as a two year adult education program for at risk youth above the age of sixteen that provides basic education, life skills counseling and autotech vocational training. Two basic tenets of the Institute were that (1) anyone above the age of sixteen who wanted to attend was admitted and (2) all students were on full scholarship - i.e., nobody had to pay. In October 2010, after graduating over 500 students, Starke retired from management and the Board of the Excel Institute.
After retirement from the Institute, Starke founded Starke Communications, a communications firm that provides communications, PR and marketing services to corporate clients. Starke Communications also provides motivational speakers for its clients.
Personal
George Starke lives with his wife "Petra Smeltzer Starke" in the Logan Circle area of Washington, D.C. Petra Starke, who grew up in Prague as Czech national, graduated from Georgetown University Law Center cum laude and practices law in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. They share their residence with the family dog "Mr. BiG", a 5-pound Chihuahua.
External links
- http://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/feb00/feb00_feature_starke.html - A 2000 Columbia CollegeColumbia College of Columbia UniversityColumbia College is the oldest undergraduate college at Columbia University, situated on the university's main campus in Morningside Heights in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded in 1754 by the Church of England as King's College, receiving a Royal Charter from King George II...
article about Starke. - http://www.redskins.com/team/bios/starke_george.htm - Redskins.com biography of Starke.
- http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A44371-2004Jun15?language=printer
- http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A45442-2004Jul12?language=printer