James Harrel "Speedy" Speer (March 5, 1895 – September 2, 1976)[1][2] was a college football player for the Furman Paladins of Furman University and a high school football coach. He was elected to the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 1974,[3][4] and the Furman Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981.[5]
 Speer while playing for Furman | |
| Furman Paladins | |
|---|---|
| Position | Halfback/Quarterback |
| Class | Graduate |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | March 5, 1895 Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
| Died: | September 2, 1976 (aged 81) Greenville, South Carolina |
| Career history | |
| College | Furman (1916–1921) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Furman
editCitizens of Greenville raised the money for his college tuition, making him the first player ever recruited to Furman University.[6] Speer also played basketball, baseball, and track. He was captain of the football team for two years, the basketball team two years, and the baseball team one year.[3] Contemporary opinion held Speer as the greatest athlete in school history.[7]
Football
editSpeer was a running back, playing quarterback and halfback on Billy Laval's Furman Purple Hurricane.
1919
editSpeer was selected All-Southern quarterback by Atlanta Journal sporting editor Morgan Blake in 1919.[8]
1920
editBefore the season, he and coach Laval spent time at the University of Illinois learning strategy.[9] From the halfback position, he helped lead the 1920 team to a 9–1 record, outscoring opponents 286–16[10] and losing only to SIAA champion Georgia. Teammates included quarterback Milton McManaway and lineman Manning Jeter.
Baseball
editSpeer batted .400 in each of his three seasons on the baseball team.[11]
High school football
editSpeer coached at Greenville High School for 21 years, taking his team all the way to the state final in 1938 and 1944.[3] In 1942 his South Carolina team won the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.[11]
References
edit- ^ U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917–1918 [database on-line] Registration State: South Carolina; Registration County: Greenville; Roll: 1877665; Draft Board: 2
- ^ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935–2014 [database on-line]. Number: 248-12-0772; Issue State: South Carolina; Issue Date: Before 1951.
- ^ a b c "'Speedy' Speer Named To Hall". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. May 4, 1974.
- ^ "Honorees".
- ^ "Furman Athletic Hall of Fame".
- ^ 2014 Furman Paladins Record Book. p. 105.
- ^ Bill Sharp (May 15, 1921). "Furman Hero Is Speedy Speer Of Winston-Salem". Winston-Salem Journal. p. 11. Retrieved March 28, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "All-Southern Elevens". Spalding Football Guide. Shawnee Mission, Kansas, NCAA Publishing Service. 1920. pp. 41, 69, 27, 67.
- ^ "Billy Laval Lines Up Furman Outfit; Speedy Speer Back". The Charlotte Observer. September 16, 1920. p. 10. Retrieved March 28, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Ernie Trubiano (December 7, 2009). South Carolina Sports Legends. Arcadia. p. 44. ISBN 9781439637746.
- ^ a b ""Speedy" Speer Named To S. C. Hall of Fame". The Index-Journal. May 3, 1974. p. 6. Retrieved March 28, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
