Harold "Hec" Dean

Year Inducted: 1981

Harold Dean was born February 25, 1909, in Brown City, Michigan.

Hec, attended Washington Junior High School, where he received the early training in athletics that prepared him for stardom while attending Port Huron High School.

At PHHS, Hec, as he was nicknamed, had an outstanding athletic career.  He earned letters in baseball, basketball and football.  He started his career in the fall of 1926 when as a sophomore he made the varsity squad in football.  He quickly earned his reputation as a great pass-catching end by scoring two touchdowns in his first game against Royal Oak.

In basketball Hec became a starting guard and was noted for his defensive ability.  He was responsible for much of the success of the Red-Whites in the winter of 1927, as the team entered the State Tournament.  The following year Hec was named as an All State guard as the team moved toward the State Semi-Finals.

In baseball Hec established himself as a great third baseman and he also led the team in hitting during the 1927 season.  He graduated in 1929.

He continued to keep involved in athletics after his high school days were behind him.   He played semi-pro football for the Port Huron Merchants, starring as an end.  Hec played guard on the Port Huron YMCA basketball team that was runner-up in the National YMCA Finals.

Softball was another sport Hec excelled in.  He played second base for Port Huron Paint and Seller’s Detroit Times team.  They were City Champs.

Hec bowled for many years in various leagues throughout the city and carried a 175 average.

He also was an avid golfer, shooting in the low 80’s.  His death occurred on the Black River Country Club Golf Course, November 19, 1974.