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]
Furman
Citizens 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]
Before 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
Speer batted .400 in each of his three seasons on the baseball team.[11]
High school football
Speer 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
^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.
