Harry Forrester (coach)
American basketball coach (1922–2008)
Harry Conway Forrester (August 19, 1922 – July 16, 2008) was an American basketball coach who led the way in integrating the sports teams of Quincy University in the racially segregated 1950s. When Quincy played at the NAIA (now NCAA) national tournament in 1955, it was the only team with African American members.
Forrester was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and the Quincy University Hall of Fame. He was the Catholic College Coach of the Year in 1956–57.
Early life
Forrester was born in Raymond, Illinois. His parents were Mary Josephine (née Conway) and Harry Dean Forrester.
During World War II, he was a machinist for the Navy, serving on the USS Kennebago. He attended Millikin University, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in 1949. In 1959 he received a Master's Degree in education from Eastern Illinois University.
Career
In 1949, Forrester began his coaching career at St.
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