Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame
Harold “Chicken” High is a legend in the annals of Lynx athletics. The 129-pound, 4-letter athlete from Bessemer, Alabama was singled out by a sports writer of the 30’s as “one of the most gifted football players in captivity.”
At Southwestern, he excelled in basketball, track and football and was captain of the 1932 Lynx football squad. He was called the most brilliant performer on the Southwestern team and was selected for quarterback on the All-Star Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association Team.
His leadership extended to all phases of campus life. He was a member of the Honor Council, president of the Student Government Association, tapped for membership in Omicron Delta Kappa and elected to the Hall of Fame. In 1932 he even found time to manage the college bookstore.
Soon after his graduation in 1933, he was named assistant varsity football coach, head freshman basketball coach and head varsity track coach. He served also as assistant athletic director. Even with the startup of his own construction business, he continued as a key member of the College athletic staff until he resigned in December of 1942 to enlist as a lieutenant in the United States Army.
In reporting High’s election to captain of the 1932 Southwestern football team, the Commercial Appeal said, “The election of High was considered almost a foregone conclusion as soon as the season ended. His offensive and defensive work, his keen generalship and the requisites of capable leadership that he displayed make him an ideal candidate for captain.” Years later, at the time of High’s death in 1986, a friend put it simply: “He was a leader in everything he did.”
In recognition of a Lynx great who will be remembered always, Rhodes is honored to induct HAROLD WALTER “CHICKEN” HIGH into the Athletic Hall of Fame this 17th day of October, 1997.
