Harry Heller Explained

Harry Heller
Birth Date:October 14, 1874
Birth Place:Ottawa, Kansas, U.S.
Death Place:Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Alma Mater:Baker University
University of Colorado
Player Years1:1893–1894
Player Team1:Baker
Player Years2:1894
Player Team2:Colorado
Player Years3:1895
Player Team3:Denver Athletic Club
Player Positions:Halfback
Coach Years1:1894
Coach Team1:Colorado
Overall Record:8–1
Championships:1 Colorado Football Association (1894)

Harry L. Heller (October 14, 1874 – April 2, 1917) was an American football player and coach. He served as the first head football coach at the University of Colorado at Boulder, coaching one season in 1894 and compiling a record of 8–1.[1]

Biography

Early life and career

Heller was born in Ottawa, Kansas on October 14, 1874. He moved to Chanute sometime during his childhood.[2] He attended Baker University and played as a halfback on the football team during the early 1890s. In 1894, Heller became the first head coach of the University of Colorado football team with the recommendation of team captain Harry P. Gamble.[3] During the season, he led Colorado to its first conference championship. Heller stepped down as head coach following the season.[4] The following year in 1895, Heller played on Denver Athletic Club's football team.[5]

Later life

Heller later moved to Kansas City where he graduated from medical college and practiced medicine. On December 4, 1900, he married Margaret Berenice Macdonald (1880 – 1948).[6] The two had a daughter, Margaret (1905 – 2005).[7] Heller died in Kansas City from pneumonia on April 2, 1917.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Coaching Records . 2010 Colorado Football Information Guide & Record Book . . 129 . November 24, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120316071818/http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/football/2010_Info_Guide/coaching_records_pg129.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=600 . March 16, 2012 .
  2. News: Dr. H. L. Heller Dead . Ottawa Herald . 21 . 115 . April 3, 1917.
  3. News: Local News . The Baker Beacon . 6 . 4 . September 25, 1894.
  4. Web site: Colorado Football History . University of Colorado Athletics.
  5. News: Harry Heller Dies In Kansas City . . 58 . 97 . April 7, 1917.
  6. News: Mrs. Heller, 66, Passes Monday . . 76 . 186 . July 6, 1948.
  7. News: [untitled] ]. . March 13, 2005.