Harry Van Surdam

Bio

Henderson Van Surdam, born September 28, 1881, died May 28, 1982, at age 100. He excelled as player, coach and official. Nicknamed "Dutch", he was a star back for Wesleyan (1902-1905). The 1905 team was the best of his career as the Cardinals went 7-2 playing a major college schedule. He coached Marietta 1906-1907, Sewanee 1908, Texas- El Paso 1920. His coaching record was 22-8-3, and his Marietta teams beat West Virginia, Cincinnati, Miami (Ohio). In 1906, first year the forward pass was legalized, his Marietta team reeled off a 56-yard pass play against Ohio University. He was a referee 1921-62, dubbed "dean of eastern officials." "Dutch" played piano, organ, clarinet, led his college glee club. At various times he was a hotel music director in San Diego, military academy superintendent in Texas and hospital manager in Lake Placid, New York. He wrote poetry, composed songs, was national coordinator for Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, directed world cruises, was a balloon observer in World War I, Red Cross field director in World War II. Elected in 1972, he donated his Hall of Fame plaque to his old high school at Hoosick Falls, New York.