Harry Forrester

Who was Harry Forrester?

Harry Conway Forrester was a visionary American basketball and baseball coach who led the way in integrating the sports teams of Quincy University in the racially segregated 1950s. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and the Quincy University Hall of Fame for his contributions to sport. During the 1956–57 season, he was honored as Catholic College Coach of the Year.

Harry Forrester was born in Raymond, Illinois. He received the American Pacific Theater of War Ribbon and the American Theater of War Ribbon for his naval service during the Second World War. In 1949, he received his Bachelor's Degree from Millikin University, and in 1959 he received his Master's Degree from Eastern Illinois University.

He began his coaching career in 1949–54 in Effingham, Illinois, as St. Anthony High School's first full-time basketball coach, leading the team to "unprecedented success" while compiling a 21–7 record in his first year and an overall five-year record of 95–43. His team won the school's first National Trail Conference Championship in 1952–53.

He was head basketball and baseball coach and athletic director at Quincy College from 1954 to 1957.