Harry Ward (athlete) facts for kids
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| Position | Tailback, Placekicker |
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| Personal information | |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 183 lb (83 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College | Wilberforce University 1923-1928 |
| Harry "Wu Fang" Ward | |
|---|---|
| Outfielder | |
| Professional debut | |
| 1934, for the Cincinnati Tigers | |
| Teams | |
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Harry G. "Wu Fang" Ward (1900 – May 26, 1965) was an amazing American athlete. He played many sports in college and as a professional. Harry Ward was active in the 1920s and 1930s. He was known for his skills in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field.
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College Sports Star
Harry Ward was a multi-talented athlete at Wilberforce University. He played football, basketball, baseball, and even competed in track and field. People often called him "the Jim Thorpe of today." This meant he was great at many different sports.
Football Highlights
Ward was a key player for the Wilberforce football team. He played as a running back and a placekicker. In 1925, he had an incredible season. He ran for 98 yards in just one quarter in a game. He also scored three touchdowns against Lincoln. He scored three more touchdowns against Kentucky State. The Pittsburgh Courier newspaper praised him highly. They said he was "never completely stopped." He was also a great tackler, punter, and passer. At the end of 1925, Ward was named to the first-ever All-American team.
In 1926, Harry Ward continued to shine. He scored a 98-yard touchdown against Bluefield Institute. Later that year, he made national news. He intercepted a pass and ran 80 yards for a touchdown. This happened in a big game at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. Ward finished his college football career in 1928. He kicked a game-tying field goal in the final moments. This helped his team tie West Virginia State 13-13.
Basketball Captain
In 1925, Ward became the captain of the Wilberforce basketball team. He played in several positions. These included forward, guard, and center.
Track and Field Skills
Harry Ward also showed his strength in track and field. He competed in the shot put and discus events. He was also fast, running the 220-yard dash in under 23 seconds. In 1924, he won both the shot put and discus events.
Baseball on Campus
Ward played first base and pitched for Wilberforce's baseball team. In one memorable game in 1926, he had a fantastic day. He hit a home run. Later, he hit an inside-the-park home run. This hit brought in two runs and won the game for his team.
Coaching Career
After his playing days, Harry Ward became a coach. In 1930, he joined the football coaching staff at Wilberforce University. He specialized in coaching the backfield players.
Professional Basketball Journey
In 1926, Ward started playing professional basketball. He joined the Chester Comets, a team from the Black Fives era. This was a time when many basketball teams were made up of African American players. He played with former Olympian DeHart Hubbard. Ward also played for other teams in Cincinnati. These included the Cincinnati Cardinals and Cincinnati Lion Tamers. He even played for famous teams like the Homestead Grays.
Professional Baseball Career
Harry Ward also had a long career in professional baseball. He played for several teams.
Cincinnati Tigers Star
Ward played for the Cincinnati Tigers. This team was part of the Negro Southern League. In 1934, he was a great hitter for the Tigers. He hit an amazing .478 in seven games. By October 1934, Ward was also managing the team. He continued to play and manage in 1935. One highlight was a three-hit game against the Memphis Red Sox.
Baseball Umpire
After he stopped playing, Ward became a baseball umpire. He worked games in the Cincinnati area. He umpired for both the Negro Leagues and local teams. In 1944, he umpired in the 1944 Negro World Series. This was a very important championship series. In 1945, he was chosen to umpire the East-West All-Star Game in Chicago. This game featured baseball legends like Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella. Ward was honored for his long and great career as an umpire.
Personal Life
After graduating from Wilberforce, Harry Ward became a teacher. He taught at the Douglass School in Cincinnati. This was one of the few schools available for African American children at the time. He also worked for the Cincinnati Recreation Commission. He married Sephronia Simpson in 1927. They had two children together.
Legacy and Remembrance
Harry Ward passed away on May 26, 1965, at age 64. He was remembered as a leader in promoting youth sports in Cincinnati. He left behind his wife, two daughters, and four grandchildren. A sportswriter named Dick Bray wrote about Ward in 1975. He believed that Harry Ward would have been the first Black player in Major League Baseball. This would have happened if the rules had been different before Jackie Robinson. Ward was buried at United American Cemetery in Cincinnati.
