Harry Bolick

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Harry Bolick
Bolick, after being hired at Erskine, standing with the only remaining football equipment
Biographical details
Born(1912-10-29)October 29, 1912
Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
DiedNovember 21, 1999(1999-11-21) (aged 87)
Clinton, South Carolina, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1932–1934Presbyterian
Boxing
1931–1934Presbyterian
Basketball
c. 1932–1935Presbyterian
Baseball
c. 1932–1935Presbyterian
1940Gaffney Manufacturing Company Red Sox
Position(s)Fullback (football)
First baseman/pitcher (baseball)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1935–1937High Point HS
1938Lake View HS
1939–1940Gaffney HS (asst.)
1946Erskine
1947Seneca HS
1948–?Ford HS
Basketball
1935–1938High Point HS
1938–1939Lake View HS
1946–1947Erskine
Boxing
1935–1938High Point HS
1938–1939Lake View HS
Baseball
1938Lake View HS
1940Gaffney Manufacturing Company Red Sox
1946
Note[a]		Erskine
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1938–1939Lake View HS
1946–1947Erskine
Accomplishments and honors
Awards

Harry Edmund Bolick Jr. (October 29, 1912 – November 21, 1999) was an American athlete and sports coach. He played several sports at Presbyterian, and was best known for football: he was team captain and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 1934. Bolick later coached several high schools in the area, as well as for one year the athletics at Erskine College.

Early life and education[edit]

Bolick was born on October 29, 1912, in Charleston, South Carolina.[2] He attended North Charleston High School and was captain of the boxing team.[3] Bolick began attending Presbyterian College in 1931, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity,[4] after graduating from North Charleston.[5] He started playing on the boxing team as a freshman, and became as a sophomore "one of the leading light heavyweights of the South Carolina collegiate boxing ranks."[6]

Bolick in 1932 made the varsity football team as a starter as a back.[7] In the second quarter of their game against Wofford that year, he ran for a 70-yard touchdown in the win.[8] By November 21, 1932, he had taken the state lead in scoring with nine touchdowns.[9] He finished the season as the state's leading scorer with 54 total points.[10][11] Bolick also placed third in voting for the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given to the best blocker in the state and described as "probably the highest individual award a South Carolina football player may receive."[12]

During the early 1933 boxing season, Bolick was described by a sportswriter for The State as "one of the best boxers developed in this state in many a day. He has everything necessary for a colorful and effective fighter–confidence, natural ability, scientific offense and defense, [and] a two-handed attack."[13] By February 1933, he had won all but two matches of his boxing career, one of which was the Southeastern A. A. U. tournament finals and the other by decision against Willard of South Carolina, but became ineligible due to failing to "win a decision in the class room."[14] While ineligible, he refereed his team's fights.[14]

Following the 1933 boxing season, Bolick was elected the team captain for 1934.[15] The Greenville News stated that he "is a hard worker, trains all the time and is liked by the boys. He will make a fine leader."[15] Also making the varsity teams in baseball and basketball, he became the first four-letter athlete in school history.[16][17] In baseball, his position was first baseman.[18] During the 1933 football season, he became Presbyterian's main blocking back and did not see much action as a runner, attributed to added weight and the fact that they already had several good ball carriers.[18] Bolick also played on defense, and was described as one of "the strongest men defensively," being "one of the greatest factors" in the team's success.[18] At the end of the year, he was named Presbyterian's best overall athlete and was elected team football captain for his senior year.[18]

Bolick changed his position in baseball to pitcher for the 1934 season.[19] He won an intercollegiate championship in boxing.[20] In football, during his senior year, Bolick remained in the blocking back/fullback position and became one of the best college players in the role.[21] An article from The Greenville News said the following about him: "Captain Harry Bolick, Presbyterian's rip-snorting fullback, has been outstanding all season in his unselfish but rugged contribution to the [Presbyterian] cause. His blocking on running plays, sharp and incisive, seldom failed to take out a man or two and some times three tacklers. Protection he has given P. C.'s forward passers and kickers was all that could be desired. Coach Walter Johnson couldn't have built an iron fence for a better safeguard than Bolick shielded Perrin when the latter faded back to pass or punt against Wofford Saturday."[21]

At the end of the season, Bolick was named the winner of the prestigious Jacobs Blocking Trophy by vote of the state's sportswriters and coaches.[22] He was also selected first-team All-State.[23] His blocking was described in a news report as such consistently good that its "seldom seen on any gridiron," and he was said to be "just what every coach would like to have but seldom gets."[22] Bolick was part of the graduating class of 1935.[24]

Coaching career[edit]

After graduating from Presbyterian, Bolick accepted a position as multi-sport coach at High Point High School in July 1935.[25] He served as head football coach, head boxing coach,[26] head basketball coach, and led the latter to the championship of both Carolinas in 1936–37.[27] Bolick left for Lake View High School in 1938.[24] He coached and oversaw all athletics there,[28] leading the football team to the Class B championship in his only year.[24][29] He led the team to a 10–1–1 record and won 7–6 in the championship.[29]

Bolick became the assistant football coach at Gaffney High School in 1939.[29] He also played for and managed the Gaffney Manufacturing Company Red Sox baseball team in 1940.[30] He left Gaffney High School to become principal at Johns Island High School in 1941.[31] Bolick remained in this position until leaving for the United States Army in 1942.[24] While a lieutenant in the army, he was the athletic and recreation officer for the Third Infantry Regiment of The Infantry School Troops Brigade.[32]

After being discharged as a captain in 1946,[16][33] he was named athletic director,[34] baseball coach,[34] basketball coach,[35] and football coach at Erskine College, which was resuming its athletic program after having dropped it at the start of the war.[24] The team had also thrown out almost all football equipment when it dropped the program, leaving only one jersey, a few shoulder pads, and several balls for Bolick when he assumed the job, meaning he had to get all the equipment and recruit all the players for his team.[16][36] As a result, the football team compiled a disastrous 0–9 record,[37] after which Bolick resigned, although he finished coaching the remaining sports for the 1946–47 season.[38]

Bolick was a coach at Seneca High School for the 1947 season.[39] The following year, he began coaching at Ford High School in Laurens, South Carolina.[39] He continued coaching and served as a teacher at high schools until 1966.[1]

Personal life and death[edit]

Bolick was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, and was given the Silver Beaver Award.[1] He served in World War II, being ranked captain in the United States Army.[1] He also taught at European military schools for 20 years.[1] Bolick was married to Elizabeth Todd (Bole)[40] and was a member of the Providence A. R. P. Church.[1] He died in Clinton, South Carolina, on November 21, 1999, at the age of 87.[1]

Head coaching record[edit]

College football[edit]

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Erskine Flying Fleet (South Carolina Little Four) (1946)
1946 Erskine 0–9 0–3
Erskine: 0–9 0–3
Total: 0–9

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Bolick was said to have continued coaching until 1966 in his The State obituary.[1] However, the teams he coached are unknown.[1]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Harry Bolick Jr". The State. November 22, 1999. p. 14. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
  3. ^ "N. Charleston Wins 5 To 4 Bouts". The Press and Standard. February 26, 1930. p. 4. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ "Presbyterian College Has Smallest Unit". The Anniston Star. July 4, 1934. p. 3. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ "Copeland And Pinson One Of Best Pair Of Wing Guardians In State Ranks". The Greenville News. September 16, 1932. p. 13. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ "Bolick to Box in Amateur Tourney". The Columbia Record. March 24, 1932. p. 6. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ^ "Tigers And Blue Hose Clash At 3 O'Clock". The Greenville News. September 23, 1932. p. 12. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  8. ^ Weimer, Carl (October 30, 1932). "Hose Crush Terriers, 19 To 0: Bolick Races 70 Yards For Initial Score". The Greenville News. p. 9. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  9. ^ "Harry Bolick Tops Scorers By 12 Points". The Greenville News. Associated Press. November 21, 1932. p. 6. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  10. ^ "Harry Bolick of P. C. Leads College Scorers of State". The State. Associated Press. November 28, 1932. p. 5. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  11. ^ "Clary Is Fifth Scorer In State". The Greenville News. Associated Press. December 5, 1932. p. 5. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  12. ^ "Griffin Winner Jacobs Trophy". The State. December 16, 1932. p. 9. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  13. ^ Montgomery, John A. (January 16, 1933). "This Boy, Bolick". The State. p. 5. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  14. ^ a b Ross, Fred (February 17, 1933). "Blue Stocking Boxers Face Clemson's Mittmen Tonight". The Greenville News. p. 13. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  15. ^ a b Ross, Fred (March 8, 1933). "Bolick To Lead P. C. Ring Team". The Greenville News. p. 7. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  16. ^ a b c "Erskine's New Coach Finds The Pantry Bare". Anderson Independent-Mail. February 12, 1946. p. 6. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  17. ^ "Harry Bolick May Be Hose 4-Letter Man". The Greenville News. Associated Press. January 23, 1933. p. 7. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  18. ^ a b c d "Bolick Elected Captain of P. C. For Next Season". The Columbia Record. November 30, 1933. p. 10. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  19. ^ "Bolick Turns Pitcher". The Greenville News. March 23, 1934. p. 15. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  20. ^ "Bolick Accepts Coaching Post". The Charlotte Observer. Associated Press. July 17, 1935. p. 21. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  21. ^ a b "Bolick's Great Interference". The Greenville News. November 27, 1934. p. 11. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  22. ^ a b Latimer, Scoop (December 6, 1934). "Bolick, P. C. Ace, Wins Jacobs Blocking Trophy". The Greenville News. p. 9. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  23. ^ "Mauney Leads A. P.'s All-State". The State. Associated Press. December 3, 1934. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  24. ^ a b c d e "Erskine Names Harry Bolick Football Boss". The Greenville News. Associated Press. February 1, 1946. p. 21. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  25. ^ "Harry Bolick Elected High Point High Coach". The News and Observer. Associated Press. July 17, 1935. p. 9. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  26. ^ "Chester Boxers In Ring Tonight". The State. February 26, 1937. p. 5. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  27. ^ Montgomery, John A. (March 9, 1937). "Speaking of Sports". The State. p. 8. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  28. ^ "Lake View Schools First in State to Exceed Area Limit". The State. January 22, 1939. p. 25. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  29. ^ a b c "Harry Bolick, Coach of Class B Champs, Joins Staff at Gaffney". The State. June 23, 1939. p. 8. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  30. ^ "Gaffney Faculty Members Injured". The Greenville News. May 24, 1940. p. 19. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  31. ^ "Gaffney Loses Harry Bolick". The Charlotte Observer. January 27, 1941. p. 7. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  32. ^ "Post Seeking Regiment Team", The Columbus Enquirer, Columbus, Georgia, volume CXVI, number 7, April 7, 1944, page 21. (subscription required)
  33. ^ "New Athletic Head At Erskine". The State. February 12, 1946. p. 3. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  34. ^ a b "Football Resumed At Erskine College". Rocky Mount Telegram. Associated Press. February 1, 1946. p. 6. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  35. ^ "Erskine's Cage Games Cancelled". The Greenville News. Associated Press. December 18, 1946. p. 11. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  36. ^ Finlay, Eddie (February 14, 1946). "This And That". The Columbia Record. p. 13. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  37. ^ Rolstad, Skylar (April 18, 2020). "Fleet Football: Erskine upsets Florida State to open 1948 season". Index-Journal. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  38. ^ "Bolick Resigns As Erskine Coach". The Charlotte Observer. February 11, 1947. p. 17. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  39. ^ a b "Harry Bolick To Coach Ford High". The Gaffney Ledger. August 21, 1948. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  40. ^ "Carollton Presbyterian Church Setting For Wedding Of Elizabeth Bole And H. E. Bolick". The Greenwood Commonwealth. September 4, 1950. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
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