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| Nominee | |
|---|---|
| First | Archie |
| Last | Harris |
| Category |
|
| Gender | Male |
| Graduating Class | 1937 |
| High School | Ocean City, New Jersey |
| Statement of Support and Documentation | |
| In a few sentences, tell why this person belongs in the National High School Track and Field Hall of Fame. | Archie Harris was a 3 time New Jersey State, Group 2, champion in both the shot put (12#) and discus (college weight) in 1935, 1936, and 1937. As a junior in 1936, he ranked #3 in the US in the SP (at 55- 2) and #1 in the US in the DT (153-11). As a senior in 1937 he led the nation in the SP at 56-11 (3rd AT) and was 2nd in the nation in the DT at 151- 5. He had an exhibition 175- 8 discus mark, made while warming up at the NJAAU meet, which exceeded the existing world's record of 175- 1.5 held by Willy Schroeder of Germany which had been set in 1935. It was more than 20 feet further than the existing HS record!! Harris did not compete in the actual NJAAU meet since it was determined that he was not eligible as he lived about 5 miles outside the AAU district boundaries. His mark is now considered to be an exhibition throw. He later went to Indiana University where he earned 3 letters in football (as an end) and 3 letters in track (SP & DT) He won the Big 10 SP & DT in both 1940 and 1941. He was the NCAA DT champ in 1941 and the AAU DT champion in 1941 as well. He broke Schroeder's still standing WR in the 1941 NCAA meet at Palo Alto with a throw os 174- 8.75. His career ended with the outbreak of WWII. He became one of the Tuskegee Airmen and was a bomber pilot in the European Theater. Archie was born on July 3, 1918 and died at age 47 on November 27, 1965. |
| Nomination Submitted By | We may contact you for further clarification and status updates. |
| First | Robert |
| Last | Jarvis |
| Entry Date | November 15, 2019 |