Henry Phillips

Bio

During his six seasons as a guard and two as a line coach, Henry Phillips led the University of the South (Sewanee) to six Southern Intercollegiate Championships. He was a lanky lineman, standing 6-4, and weighing 185-pounds. His quickness, incredible arm-reach and ability to diagnose an enemy play made him one of Sewanee's truest stars. Phillips captained the 1902 team that finished 6-1 and he earned the first of three straight All-Conference trophies that year. The 1904 team also only suffered one defeat. After six seasons in a Purple Tiger uniform, Phillips could not stay away from the Sewanee gridiron. He returned to his alma mater to serve as line coach for the 1908 and 1909 campaigns. He later was named to a two-year term as president of the Southern Intercollegiate Association. Phillips died in 1955, after spending most of his adult life as a clergyman in the Episcopal Church. He and fellow Hall of Famer Henry Seibels were named to the All-Time Sewanee Team.