George Marshall Varnell was an American track and field athlete, Gonzaga University's first basketball coach, a college football player, coach, and official, who refereed a record-setting eight Rose Bowl games, and sports editor of two major Pacific Northwest newspapers. He competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics, finishing fourth in the 200 meter hurdles event as well as fourth in the 400 meter hurdles competition. Varnell served as the referee during the 1920 Rose Bowl between Oregon and Harvard, as well as at seven other Rose Bowl games.