Gene Harr
doesn’t possess a particularly outstanding record as a head coach,
although his tenure at Freedom High School included the school’s
only unbeaten grid team. But his attention to detail, loyalty,
dedication, and total recall are well known attributes of his coaching legacy. Not big enough to play the sport he loves
in high school, Gene will gladly tell you that he got into coaching
because he was hungry. Following graduation from Geneva College in
1943, Gene began his sideline stint at his high school alma mater, coaching junior high
basketball for ten years and also assisting the varsity football team in 1944. In
1949
he took over Bulldog head coaching duties and in his second year
guided the school to its first undefeated grid season, although Freedom
lacked the proper number of Gardner Points to qualify for the WPIAL
title. Throughout the 1950s, despite playing against schools with
much larger teams, Freedom held its own under Gene’s direction. He
is particularly pleased that four of his Bulldogs went on to All
American status in college. In 1959 Gene joined his good friend
Larry Bruno at Beaver Falls
as defensive coordinator, and Gene’s “Alley Cats” were known for their excellent
defensive play. In fact he was asked to speak at coaching clinics
around the country. When he retired from coaching in 1979, Gene was
presented with a plaque from the Midwestern Athletic Conference
Coaches Association for his outstanding service to high school
athletics.
Gene Harr
doesn’t possess a particularly outstanding record as a head coach,
although his tenure at Freedom High School included the school’s
only unbeaten grid team. But his attention to detail, loyalty,
dedication, and total recall are well known attributes of his coaching legacy. Not big enough to play the sport he loves
in high school, Gene will gladly tell you that he got into coaching
because he was hungry. Following graduation from Geneva College in
1943, Gene began his sideline stint at his high school alma mater, coaching junior high
basketball for ten years and also assisting the varsity football team in 1944. In
1949
he took over Bulldog head coaching duties and in his second year
guided the school to its first undefeated grid season, although Freedom
lacked the proper number of Gardner Points to qualify for the WPIAL
title. Throughout the 1950s, despite playing against schools with
much larger teams, Freedom held its own under Gene’s direction. He
is particularly pleased that four of his Bulldogs went on to All
American status in college. In 1959 Gene joined his good friend