Many people have asked me the question: What was it like to write a biography on your great uncle, Chic Harley?”
The answer is undoubtedly complex and detailed, but I’ll start explaining it now and will add details in the weeks ahead.
First of all, the naming of the book on Chic titled “The One And Only: Chic Harley - America’s Great Athlete” did not come about by accident. “The One And Only” was actually a nickname given to Chic by members of the Columbus media during and after his playing days. He was also referred to as “The Immortal”. To attract those names, Chic had to be really something special.
Before the first word of the book was written, I knew there had to be strong reasons why a book on Chic Harley was needed. The main reason, as I write about in the book, was to make sure that he never be forgotten as the individual who propelled Ohio State University into the national limelight. Chic Harley was not just another very good athlete. He truly was the greatest of the greats that Ohio State has produced. His heroics on the field not only got people so whipped up about football throughout campus, Columbus and Ohio, but they became more interested than ever in their community. It helped establish a solid alumni base and following for OSU that lasted lifetimes that remain as strong as ever to this day. That interest transformed Ohio State into a fairly small college of about 6,000 students into one of the leading institutions of higher learning in the world. Millions and millions of dollars were generated from grads and supporters of the school who freely contribute not only during their lives, but after their lives through endowments. Their children and their children’s children followed suit. Those donations financed the hiring of more and better coaches and teachers and attracted hundreds of thousands of students gladly willing to pay tuition and other costs to earn a strong education in every field imaginable such as Law, Medicine and Business. Scholarships to deserving students who had much to give to their community and country were and continue to be given out.
Chic Harley’s contribution to Ohio State stands out far and above that of any other Ohio State athlete, and arguably former, past and present students. And for that, we firmly believe that his place in the hearts and minds of the university, community and state should also stand out as well.
As we say in the book, Ohio State has done well to recognized scores of people who have made important contributions such as Jack Nicklaus, Jesse Owens and Woody Hayes. They all deserve those accolades. Add to that list the beautiful, newly refurbished library named after former school President William Thompson who served during the Harley era. Nothing like that, however, exists for Harley other than his jersey number being retired a few years back and a rock located on High Street called “The Harley Rock”.
Isn’t it time to right this wrong?
We’ll have more on the writing of “The One And Only” in the weeks ahead.
—Todd Wessell