Herbert, Harry : Jews In Sports @ Virtual Museum

Herbert, Harry

Herbert played as a back at Syracuse and Boston University. After graduating from Boston in 1928, Harry coached Trinity (Conn.) College from 1928-1930 and then became the first director of the Jewish Community Center in Norwalk, Connecticut in the 1930s. Very active in the Jewish community, Harry also served as a Jewish Welfare Board field worker during World War II in India and China, for which he received the Medal of Freedom.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. February 26, 1900

Career Highlights:
Born in Hartford, Herbert was an outstanding all-around athlete in both high school and college. A three-sport star in high school (football, basketball, and baseball), he won the 135-pound class AAU wrestling championship in 1917. After his schoolboy days, he attended Syracuse University , where he continued his athletic success.

In 1920, Herbert helped Syracuse finish the season with a record of 6-2-1; they outscored their opponents 201-27! The following year, the Orangemen had a record of 7-2, but Harry suffered a broken neck in the penultimate game of the season against Colgate.

In December 1921, the Jewish weekly American Hebrew specifically mentioned Herbert in it's 'Who's Who in Athletics' article. The Hebrew stated: "...although a comparatively light man, he played the half-back position. He is considered one of the most aggressive players on the eleven and his habit of making long gains...will be rememberd for years to come at Syracuse. He is exceptionally speedy and his lighter weight aids him in dodging tacklers."

Herbert, who also starred on Syracuse's lacrosse and wrestling teams, hoped to make a quick return to the football field following the Colgate game in 1921. While recovering, Herbert coached high school football in Syracuse for two years. In 1926, he began playing for Boston University. During the 1926 season, Herbert's field goal defeated Holy Cross (who had not lost at home since 1921) in the final game of the season. It gave Boston its first major victory in its football history.

Origin:
Hartford, Connecticut

Career Dates:
Herbert played halfback at Syracuse University from 1920-1921, and at Boston University from 1926-1927.

Physical description:
5'9 1/2", 155 pounds



Use links below to navigate through the football section of Jews In Sports.

< PreviousNext >





References:
encyclopedia of JEWS in sports by Bernard Postal, Jesse Silver, and Roy Silver (New York: Bloch Publishing Co., 1965)
American Hebrew, December 2, 1921