Inducted 2002
Hometown: New Bern, N.C.
Sport: Football (1989-90)
Coach: Bill Lewis

George Koonce, Jr. played two seasons for the Pirate football team (1989 and 1990) after transferring from Chowan College. In 1990, he led the Pirates in tackles for loss (16) and sacks (7), and started in all 11 games. In his career at East Carolina, Koonce had 107 tackles, 59 of which were solo tackles, as well as eight career sacks for 62 yards lost and 18 tackles for loss of 99 yards.

He signed with the Green Bay Packers in 1992 after one season with the Ohio Glory of the World Football League. Koonce spent nine seasons in the NFL, eight of which were with Green Bay. In 1994, he led the Packers in total (119) and solo (78) stops and made a season-high 12 tackles on two occasions. For his NFL career, Koonce had 720 tackles, nine sacks, five fumble recoveries, five interceptions, and two touchdowns.