RAY SWANSON | Keystoner Harold Davis joins College Football Hall of Fame

I first heard the name of Harold Davis back in the early 1950s. It was a name and a talent I have never forgotten.
Fresh out of North High in Youngstown, Davis took his talents to Westminster College in 1953 and he went on to a spectacular four-year career than earned him the honor of being one of the best all-around athletes in the history of the school.
In his four-year career, the quarterback led the Titans to a four-year record of 28-1 including the first undefeated season in school history in 1953 (8-0). Westminster also went unbeaten in 1955 (6-0-1) and 1956 (8-0).
For his tremendous accomplishments in football at Westminster, Davis has been selected as one of nine individuals to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this fall. Ceremonies will be conducted in South Bend, Ind., Aug. 13-14.
His talents at Westminster did not go unnoticed. Davis was the first and only three-time first team All-Ameican in Titan history.
Harold was always thinking about the other guy and that was one of his main attributes. Even when he received the news of his induction, he was thinking of his teammates.
"When I first got the news my thoughts immediately turned to the guys I played with at Westminster." said Davis. "I thought about men like Bill White, Jay Debolt, Vince Cortese and Bill Freshwater, guys I started with as freshmen in 1953. It was wonderful to recall all the great times we had together on campus in New Wilmington, as well as the tremendous success we had as a team for our coach, Dr. Harold Burry, on the football field."
Others inducted
Others being inducted with Davis are six players and three coaches, including defensive back Darrell Green (Texas A & amp; I), running back Garney Henley (Huron), back Jackie Hunt (Marshall), tight end Dan Ross (Northeastern) and wide receiver William Stromberg (John Hopkins), and coaches Thomas Beck (Illinois Benedictine), Charlie Richard (Baker) and Dick Strahm (Findlay).
Only three others from Westminster have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in the last nine years, including Burry, who posted a 127-31-5 record and led the Titans to the inaugural NAIA Division II national championship in 1970; former Titan lineman Larry Pugh, who was a two-time All-American who went on to play for the Cleveland Browns, and Burry's successor, Dr. Joseph Fusco, who was inducted in 2001.
Fusco posted a record of 154-34-3 from 1972-90 while leading the Titans to four NAIA Div. II national titles in 1976, 1977, 1988 and 1989.
"I truly believe that Harold Davis was the greatest all-around athlete I have witnessed at Westminster," said Fusco, who began as a student at Westminster in 1956-60, then returned to his alma mater as a football coach and served as athletic director prior to his retirement in 1999.
"I believe if Dr. Burry was alive today, he would say the same thing. His athletic accomplishments have never been equaled, and likely never will be," said Fusco.
Davis' talents were not limited to the football field, either. He was a four-year letterman in basketball, finishing his career with 1,209 points, and was also a standout for the track and field teams.
Wishes Burry was there
As Davis heads into the football hall, he has one regret.
"I truly wish Dr. Burry [who died in 1992] was here to see the induction and be a part of it, because I know how proud he would be. I know he's looking down on me right now and smiling," said Davis.
Davis retired after a career as an executive with Xerox Corporation and is currently president of H & amp;S Consulting. He and his wife, Shirley, live in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
The couple have two sons, H. Wade and Michael, and several grandchildren.