The legacy of the late Edward T. (Ed) Harvard, former Vineland High School teacher, administrator, and coach, will be honored in a ceremony naming the VHS South Gym after him on Friday, December 15. The event kicks off at 5:30 p.m., followed by an exciting boys’ basketball matchup against Bridgeton at 6:30 pm.
Harvard passed away earlier this year. He was born in Weirton, West Virginia. During high school, he was a standout as the team reached the state finals three times and won the championship in 1963. He received a basketball scholarship to West Virginia University and had a prestigious playing career.
As a freshman in 1964, he was one of four Black West Virginia players, who became the first ever to play in the Southern Basketball Conference.
Harvard went on to a master’s degree from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University). He started teaching physical education at VHS in 1979. and later became assistant principal.
He was the head girls’ basketball coach early in his career and later head coach of the boys’ team. From 1982 to 1987, VHS had one of the top basketball teams in the state. He also coached Vineland Basketball Association and AAU basketball for 15 years, and also worked as a referee.
Harvard was a role model and mentor to many students. He was inducted into the Vineland High Wall of Warriors in 2017.
