Fisher, Harry

A member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, Fisher was one of the most important people involved in the early stages of college basketball. In 1905, after an All-America career at Columbia where he led the Lions to back-to-back National Championships, Harry was appointed to a four-person committee established to write the first college basketball rules. That year, Fisher also became editor of the newly formed Collegiate Rules Committee and Collegiate Guide, a position he held for ten years.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. March 12, 1895 - d. Dec. 29, 1967

Career Highlights:
Born in New York, Fisher graduated from City College High School in 1901 and then attended the University of Columbia. A team leader, he led the Columbia Lions in scoring in each of his three seasons on the varsity squad. On March 10, 1905, he set a Columbia game field goal record (13) which would stand until 1953. That year, Fisher led the Ivy League in scoring with a remarkable 16.3 points per game. He led the Lions to their second consecutive National Championship on the strength of a 19-1 record (in 1904, they had a record of 17-1). Under the tutelage Columbia's volunteer first coach Henry Elias, Fisher was named All-America both years.

In 1906, Fisher went from player to coach, becoming the first paid full-time coach at Columbia. Over the next 10 seasons, Harry led the the Lions to three Eastern Invitational League titles (predecessor of the Ivy League), two undefeated seasons; and in 1910 Fisher led the Lions to the National Championship. Interestingly, during the 1909-10 season, Harry also coached St. John's to a 15-5 record. Fisher's overall record at Columbia was 101-39. In 1921, General Douglas MacArthur convinced Harry to become the head coach at West Point. He coached there for three seasons, leading his teams to a 46-5 record, and defeating Navy all three years. In addition to the Basketball Hall of Fame, Fisher is a member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame.

Origin:
New York City

Career Dates:
Fisher played at Columbia University from 1902-1905. He coached the Columbia varsity team from 1906-1916, concurrently coaching St. Johns during the 1909-10 season. He later coached at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 1922-23.

Physical description:
5'9", 150 pounds

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