George Kolombatovich led Columbia's men's and women's fencing programs to their most successful era in school history. In 1979, he joined the Lion's staff as the sixth coach in the 116-year history of Columbia fencing and the first to lead the women's squad. In 32 seasons at the helm of the Lions, Kolmobatovich compiled a 281-86 (.766) overall record on the men's side and owned a 298-78 (.793) overall record on the women's side.

Fewer than 10 years after his arrival, Kolombatovich delivered Columbia its first NCAA men's title in sixteen years in 1987 and followed that with consecutive crowns in 1988 and 1989. After the championships were combined, Kolombatovich and the Lions finished as runner-ups in 1990 and 1991 before bringing the title back to Morningside Heights in 1992 and 1993.

During Kolombatovich's tenure, the Lions captured eight IFA Team Championships, which is half of Columbia's total 16, six NCAA Squad Championships, 10 Northeast Regional crowns and a combined 23 Ivy League Championships – 15 by the men and eight by the women. A native New Yorker, he coached Olympians, 17 individual NCAA Champions, six NCAA Fencers of the Year, 30 IFA Individual Champions, 152 All-Americans and 158 All-Ivy League honorees.

The well-known figure in national and international fencing, Kolombatovich coached the United States in six Junior World Championships and seven Junior Pan American Championships.