HB/S/P/PK "Chic" Harley (official thread)

[themongoose32]

My friend told me he saw somewhere that Ohio State might be Retiring Chic Harley's jersey. I was just checking to see if anyone else had some information on when it would be and what number he wore. I think this would be a great day in Ohio State history because Chic was the reason that Ohio State became a nationally recognized program. He was the start of it all and I feel this would be a great tribute to him.


The Mongoose

[Nixon]

This was in the Dispatch, they didn't say when. But they said that he wore #17 and #49, and they had not finalized their decision yet but they will likely retire #49. I agree that this is long overdue.

[jlb1705]

It is definitely long overdue. He was Ohio State's Red Grange.

[ohiobuck94]

Charles "Chic" Harley was Ohio State's first three-time All-America. A product of Columbus East High School, Harley was a threat to go all the way any time he touched the ball.

Harley won All-America honors as a running back in 1916 and '17. He spent 1918 in the military but then returned to OSU in 1919 and picked up where he had left off, again winning All-America acclaim. In addition to running the football, he also punted, kicked extra points (he used the drop kick) and played defense.

Fans turned out in record numbers to watch Harley play. He didn't disappoint, leading the Buckeyes to their first-ever Big Ten title in 1916, a repeat championship in 1917 and a second-place finish in 1919. During his three seasons at Ohio State, the Buckeyes posted a combined record of 21-1-1.

The Buckeyes played at old Ohio Field during the Harley era. But largely because of his play, Ohio Stadium was built in 1922 and in the years since has been known as the "House that Harley built."

[lvbuckeye]

good stuff!

you forgot to mention that when Harley was in H.S., East used to draw bigger crowds than Ohio State did, due to the amount of people coming out to watch him play...

i read somewhere that watching Harley run was like music and cannon fire... beautiful and explosive at the same time...

[jlb1705]

East used to draw bigger crowds than Ohio State did, due to the amount of people coming out to watch him play...

Hmm, so that's how crowds assemble? Interesting!

J/K. If you read that a certain way, it ends up looking like one of those Jay Leno "Headlines" things.

[lvbuckeye]

Originally Posted by jlb1705

Hmm, so that's how crowds assemble? Interesting!

you mean with a pen?
or marker?
or some other writing utensil?

-edit-
dammit. my fingers are on all the wrong keys today...

[ohiobuck94]

"No one goes there anymore because it's too crowded."
Yogi Berra

[KillerNut]

This is a great decesion.

I agree long overdue.

Any talk of #36, #2, and maybe some others I am forgeting becoming honor jersy's?


Will it be the scUM game that they do it I hope?

[CleveBucks]

A letter to season ticket holders said it would be during the Wisconsin game I believe...

Harley will be the only "non-Heisman" number retired. Otherwise half the numbers would have somebody worthy of retirement.

[Airspace]

Long over due but well deserved.

Harley's Jersey Number to be Retired
The jersey number of the late Charles "Chic" Harley, Ohio State's first three-time football All-American, will be retired during halftime of this year's Penn State game. Harley, who wore No. 47, starred for the Buckeyes during the 1916-17 and '19 seasons, winning All-America honors each of those years and regularly playing before full houses in old Ohio Field. His spectacular play energized the community and resulted in a campaign to build a new venue to better accommodate the fans. As a result, Ohio Stadium, often referred to as "the house that Harley built," was opened in 1922. Harley will be the sixth Ohio State player to have his number retired, joining Archie Griffin, Vic Janowicz, Les Horvath, Howard "Hopalong" Cassady and Eddie George. Harley's No. 47 currently is being worn by junior linebacker A.J. Hawk, who will wear that number until he exhausts his eligibility.

Here is the the link: http://ohiostatebuckeyes.collegespor...072304aaa.html

[buckeyefool]

Sweet, glad that this game ended up being My Alumni ticket

[stxbuck]

He definitely deserves it. Too bad this wasn't done in the 1970's so he could have been there in person to see it. I imagine his children will be on the field.

[Buckeye513]

So is A.J. Hawk going to wear the number until he graduates, or is his number changing.

[LoKyBuckeye]

He'll keep the number until he a) graduates or b) leaves for the NFL.