Harry E. Richards - Baseball, Football, Basketball - Leader

Year Inducted: 1992

Harry E. Richards was born in Port Huron on August 9, 1907.  Harry Richards was one of Port Huron’s most accomplished and multi-talented athletes.  He was a product of the era when many of the local grade schools had baseball teams, and the competition between the teams was fierce.

After grade school, Harry Richards played football and basketball for the Golden Tornadoes from Washington Jr. High School.   He was a member of the football team that defeated Battle Creek Jr. High for the State Championship in 1922 with a score of 28-0.

1922-1926, Harry Richards played baseball for Port Huron High School.   He was one of the greatest third basemen ever produced in Port Huron, and he was selected as third baseman on the thumb area all star team that played the Detroit Tigers in an exhibition game at Watkins Field in 1923.  He played basketball and football for one year at Port Huron Jr. College and for the Port Huron Saints of the Michigan- Ontario League in 1926.

Harry Richards had several offers to play professional baseball, but family responsibilities prompted him to remain in the area.   He played semi-professional ball for the Port Huron Merchants (1932 County Champions), Mueller Brass, Yale Independents, Lapeer Independents and Sarnia Imperials.

Harry Richards was employed at the Detroit Edison Company in 1925 as a junior clerk, and in 1956 won the Alex Dow Award, the highest award given to an employee.   He was the manager of the Tuscola County District for Detroit Edison for 11 years.  He served as President of the Board of Commerce, the Caro County Planning Commission, and the rotary Club, was a member of the Tuscola County Planning Commission, and was very active in the United Fund and American Cancer Society activities.

Harry Richards was an outstanding athlete and leader in community affairs.


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