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Harry C. Graves

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Harry C. Graves
Biographical details
Born(1898-04-25)April 25, 1898
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
DiedJanuary 3, 1966(1966-01-03) (aged 67)
Leonardtown, Maryland, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1918Michigan Agricultural
1921–1922Michigan Agricultural
Position(s)Fullback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1923Virginia Normal
1924–1933Wilberforce
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1923–1924Virginia Normal
Head coaching record
Overall61–12–14 (football)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 black college national (1931)

Harry Cornelius Graves (April 25, 1898 – January 3, 1966) was an American football and baseball coach. He served as the head football coach at Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute—now known as Virginia State University in 1923, and Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio from 1924 to 1933. His 1931 Wilberforce Green Wave football team was undefeated and recognized as a black college football national champion.

Graves played high school football in Pratt, Kansas and college football at Michigan Agricultural College—now known as Michigan State University.[1] He succeeded Harry R. Jefferson at Wilberforce in 1924.[2] He earned a master's degree from Ohio State University in 1933.[3][4]

Graves died on January 3, 1966, at St. Mary's Hospital in Leonardtown, Maryland.[5]

Head coaching record

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Football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Virginia Normal Trojans (Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1923)
1923 Virginia Normal 4–3 3–3 T–4th
Virginia Normal: 4–3 3–3
Wilberforce Green Wave (Independent) (1924–1933)
1924 Wilberforce 3–1–2
1925 Wilberforce 7–2
1926 Wilberforce 6–2
1927 Wilberforce 5–1–2
1928 Wilberforce 4–1–4
1929 Wilberforce 7–1–1
1930 Wilberforce 7–1–1
1931 Wilberforce 8–0
1932 Wilberforce 4–0–3
1933 Wilberforce 6–0–1
Wilberforce: 57–9–14
Total: 61–12–14
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "Harry Graves Has Winning Team". The Pratt Republican. Pratt, Kansas. November 14, 1923. p. 1. Retrieved October 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  2. ^ "Grid Mentors Change Posts". The Black Dispatch. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. September 4, 1924. p. 8. Retrieved October 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  3. ^ "Locker Room Gossip". The Galion Inquirer. Galion, Ohio. Associated Negro Press. September 20, 1933. p. 4. Retrieved October 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  4. ^ "Harry C. Graves, Coach At Wilberforce Resigns". Mansfield News-Journal. Mansfield, Ohio. May 10, 1934. p. 16. Retrieved October 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  5. ^ "Harry Graves Dies After Suffering Heart Attack". The Entreprise. Lexington Park, Maryland. January 6, 1966. p. 1. Retrieved November 1, 2022 – via St. Mary's County Library.