The One And Only

Like the glory of the going when Chic Harley got away

toddw — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:16:27 +0000

Just recently we received a request for a copy of the wonderful poem written by James Thurber called “When Chic Harley Got Away.” Thurber, a native of Columbus, Ohio, was a classmate of Chic’s when they both attended Ohio State University.
For your enjoyment, we thought we would provide you with that inspiring poem written more than 90 years ago by one of America’s most famous literary giants.
Taking nothing away from Archie, Woody and the other OSU greats, but there never was a poem of this calibre and emotional connection written about any of them. Chic Harley was in a class by himself. When will Ohio State, Columbus and Ohio recognize that?

WHEN CHIC HARLEY GOT AWAY

The years of football playing reach back a long, long way,
And the heroes are a hundred who have worn the red and gray;
You can name the brilliant players from the year the game began,
You can say that someone’s plunging was the best you ever saw -
You can claim the boys now playing stage a game without a flaw -
But admit there was no splendor in all the bright array
Like the glory of the going when Chic Harley got away.

You can tell the tale of Gibson who ran for eighty yards,
Bowling Michiganders over like a row of paper cards;
You can sing the song of Barrington, whose deadly tow oft sent
The hurtling ball to victory when his men were all but spent.
There’s a thousand other stories of the games of other years,
But one from the thousand like a flash of light appears,
And there’s nothing half so thrilling from the first year to today,
Like the glory of the going when Chic Harley got away.

Declaim accounts of smashing lines and plunging backs and then
Shout a little louder and declaim them once again,
“There never was another time like in the good old days
When they used to play a man’s game with the mass formation plays.”
You can laud the Powells and Dunlaps as the mountains in the line
That made the game of football something superman and fine,
But still there’s nothing in it all, when you have had your say,
Liek the glory of the going when Chic Harley got away.

Old grads can mention how they fought when Kenyon came to town,
And how they used to up and knock the bleeding foemen down,
And we’ll admit the good old days were red and raw and rough,
And the men that wore the moleskin surely had the oldtime stuff.
Or you can land the recent days and name a field of stars
As scintillant as Jupiter and as militant as Mars -
But they’ll never be another thing can light up all the day
Like the glory of the going when Chic Harley got away.

Famed sculptor wants to create Chic Harley statue

toddw — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:37:30 +0000

Grassroots efforts to create and build a statue of Ohio State Buckeye great Chic Harley continue to pick up speed even though OSU officials remain mum and non-committal at this point.
The studio of Rotblatt-Amrany of Fort Sheridan, Illinois north of Chicago, in collaboration with Portraits/Chicago, Inc. have indicated their desire to move ahead with a statue project honoring Harley.
Rotblatt-Amrany and Portraits Chicago, Inc. have worked on some of the most endearing sports statues found in America. Among their creations is the famed Michael Jordan dunk shot statue in front of Chicago’s United Center and the 17-ft. tall statue of Magic Johnson bursting onto the scene at Michigan State University. Just recently, the collaborative team inked a deal with the Chicago Cubs to create a 7-ft. tall statue of Hall of Fame slugger Billy Williams which in a year or two will adorn the confines of Wrigley Field alongside statues of Ernie Banks and Harry Caray. Allowing a Chicago company to create a Harley statue is highly appropriate because Chic was born in the Windy City in 1894 and spent much of his life there with his parents, brother, sister, nephew and extended family.
More and more universities, colleges and professional sports teams are moving forward with plans to enshrine their greats through bronze statues that will last for decades and even centuries. Last year, the University of Illinois unveiled a statue of its greatest football player, Red Grange, who played just a few years after Chic Harley. People who saw both Harley and Grange play agree that Harley was better. A few months ago, the University of Florida announced that it had commissioned the creation of three statues of three of its gridiron greats, one of whom is Tim Tebow who just graduated after a stellar football career.
What about Chic Harley, who most people who know his story would agree, set the stage for what has become one of the greatest sports and scholastic programs in the world? The Buckdeye Grove next to Ohio Stadium where its many All Americas are honored is nice, but it’s not enough. The process of honoring the school’s football legends the right and honorable way must begin now. It must start with Chic Harley, OSU’s first consensus All America, first three-time All America, four-sport letterman, and the man who, through his never-before-seen athletic abilities and magnetic personality capitvated a community state and nation from 1916-1919.
People need to know the fascinating story of Chic. Once they do, they will leap onto the statue bandwagon. We can’t waste another minute.
Call OSU President Gordon Gee to voice your opinion. Reply to this entry. Write letters to the editor. Let the people speak!

Famed sculptor wants to create Chic Harley statue

toddw — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:37:29 +0000

Grassroots efforts to create and build a statue of Ohio State Buckeye great Chic Harley continue to pick up speed even though OSU officials remain mum and non-committal at this point.
The studio of Rotblatt-Amrany of Fort Sheridan, Illinois north of Chicago, in collaboration with Portraits/Chicago, Inc. have indicated their desire to move ahead with a statue project honoring Harley.
Rotblatt-Amrany and Portraits Chicago, Inc. have worked on some of the most endearing sports statues found in America. Among their creations is the famed Michael Jordan dunk shot statue in front of Chicago’s United Center and the 17-ft. tall statue of Magic Johnson bursting onto the scene at Michigan State University. Just recently, the collaborative team inked a deal with the Chicago Cubs to create a 7-ft. tall statue of Hall of Fame slugger Billy Williams which in a year or two will adorn the confines of Wrigley Field alongside statues of Ernie Banks and Harry Caray. Allowing a Chicago company to create a Harley statue is highly appropriate because Chic was born in the Windy City in 1894 and spent much of his life there with his parents, brother, sister, nephew and extended family.
More and more universities, colleges and professional sports teams are moving forward with plans to enshrine their greats through bronze statues that will last for decades and even centuries. Last year, the University of Illinois unveiled a statue of its greatest football player, Red Grange, who played just a few years after Chic Harley. People who saw both Harley and Grange play agree that Harley was better. A few months ago, the University of Florida announced that it had commissioned the creation of three statues of three of its gridiron greatest, one of whom is Tim Tebow who just graduated after a stellar football career.
What about Chic Harley, who most people who know his story would agree, set the stage for what has become one of the greatest sports and scholastic programs in the world? The Buckdeye Grove next to Ohio Stadium where its many All Americas are honored is nice, but it’s not enough. The process of honoring the school’s football legends the right and honorable way must begin now. It must start with Chic Harley, OSU’s first consensus All America, first three-time All America, four-sport letterman, and the man who, through his never-before-seen athletic abilities and magnetic personality capitvated a community state and nation from 1916-1919.
People need to know the fascinating story of Chic. Once they do, they will leap onto the statue bandwagon. We can’t waste another minute.
Call OSU President Gordon Gee to voice your opinion. Reply to this entry. Write letters to the editor. Let the people speak!

Let’s Get This Done!

toddw — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:40:59 +0000

After reading our most recent blog posting and the 300-page biography, “The One And Only: Chic Harley - America’s Great Athlete”, Bill Adams, a third generation Ohio State graduate felt he had to speak up.
And boy, do his words resonate!
“As a 3d generation graduate (my grandfather graduated from OSU’s medical school in 1921 and was in school when Chic played) my family always believed and said Chic was the greatest,” wrote Mr. Adams in an email we received this week.
“And, after reading your book, I’m even more convinced. I also believe that Chic should be memorialized with a statue as Mr. Rice thinks. But, in my vision it would be located at the north end of Ohio Stadium under the rotunda.
“Let’s get this done!”
We hope Mr. Adams’ passion is contagious.
Momentum is building to erect a statue of The One And Only.
Hop on and help out. Let us know what you think and encourage others to speak up and get involved.
Public involvement will spur action!!!

In the meantime, a Chicago sculptor may one day be hired to create and actually put together a statue of Chic Harley that millions of Americans will be able to enjoy. Chic, as you know, was born in Chicago in 1894. We’ll let you more about that in the days ahead.

Todd

A wonderful idea for use of Old Ohio Field site

toddw — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:12:54 +0000

For those Ohio State football fans who love to scour game day programs and reference materials, the name Elliott Rice should ring a bell. Mr. Rice was a walk on place kicker for the Buckeye fooball team from 1969-71. He played for Woody Hayes and still lives in Ohio.

After picking up a copy of my book “The One And Only: Chic Harley - -America’s Great Athlete” last January, Mr. Rice said he couldn’t put it down. One night after tossing and turning in bed, the cerebral light bulb flashed on. A idea was born.

“Chic Harley’s contributiton to Ohio State football is huge,” wrote Mr. Rice. “And it should be honored.”

He told of his belief that the site of Old Ohio Field on High Street is “holy” ground—the place where Ohio Satte football tradition took hold and bloomed under Coach Wilce , Chic Harley and his teammates.” He likened the site to a Civil War battle field that over the decades has gradually been encroached on by buildings.

“Before it disappears,” Rice writes, “it should be saved.”

Mr. Rice’s idea is to outline the boundaries of Old Ohio Field with bricks at every corner “with a few iron fence posts like was used on the original field.” Within the borders would be one, perhaps two statues of Chic. One would be a reproduction of the famous picture, which shows him standing, hands on hips, with “that winning smile.” The second statue, said Rice, would be an action shot of Chic.

“There should also be good size plaques decribing his accomplishments and his sorrows. To me the story of what his friends and coaches did for him is a lesson that needs to be taught and passed on. ‘How firm thy friendship, Ohio,’ as the alma mater says.”

Rice added that over time, statues of Buckeye Heisman Trophy winners can be added as well as those of great coaches and other players.

“They could be placed around the outside and inside of the stadium. But it is Chic Harley’s time now,” said Rice.

What a wonderful letter! What a wonderful idea!

Don’t you agree?

Let us and everyone know how you feel and together we can make this happen.

Post a reply, tell a friend, write a letter to President Gee…

Next: The full text of Mr. Rice’s letter and Gee’s reply.

‘You explored Chic’s life with love, warmth and meticulously…’

toddw — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:15:59 +0000

Throughout June, numerous cable TV channels in the Chicago area aired a one hour interview of this reporter who discussed the book: “The One And Only: Chic Harley - America’s Great Athlete.”
Roberta Markbreit, a veteran local cable television personality, conducted the interview. She expressed strong interest in the Chic Harley story and obtained a copy of the book.
Just this week, I received a kind note from Roberta saying she just finished reading the book and really enjoyed it.
“I recently finished reading the wonderful book that you wrote about your uncle, Chic Harley. I took it with me everywhere I went, not wanting to put it down for a moment,” wrote Roberta.
“You explored Chic’s poignant life with love and warmth and meticulously, a rare combination. I wanted so to rescue Chic and give him all the beautiful things in life that he deserved, not what he repeatedly and unfairly got.”
Added Roberta, “People like Chic are rare. They are purely honest and humble and their sensitivity makes them beautiful. They are too good to have to face the ugliness on this Earth. “It must have been heart-rendering for you to re-enact Chic’s life in the honest and forthright way you did. Thanks for the writing of it in the only way it could have been told.”

Thanks Roberta for you kind words.

Thoughts of Harley, football and magazine story

toddw — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:42:55 +0000

Summer has finally arrived, Chic Harley and Buckeye fans, and attention is slowly turning toward football.
Surprising, isn’t it?
We’re back for regular weekly installments.
First of all, we want to tell you that interest in “The One And Only: Chic Harley - America’s Great Athlete” continues. A Columbus area bookstore just ordered a new batch of books that you’ll see on local shelves. If you want to order through our chicharley.,com website, we’ll toss in a free Chic t-shirt as well.
In the meantime, momentum seems to be gaining for the building of a statue of Chic either in front of or somewhere near the great “Horseshoe”. To our delight more and more people are getting to know Chic and the contributions he made to the school and its entire sports program. “The One And Only” tells the entire story of Chic in 300 pages filled with rare photos and never before known information such as his lifelong bout with mental illness. A Chicago area sculptor has expressed strong interest in the project. It’s the same sculptor who created the famed Michael Jordan statue in front of the United Center.
Within the next two weeks, the annual “Buckeye Battle Cry” magazine, which yearly previews Ohio State football, will be published. Inside is an in-depth story about Harley, along with photos. Your’s truly wrote the article for the magazine. Get a copy and let me know what you think.
If you have any questions about Harley or the book, please contact me.

—Todd Wessell

Chic Would Be Proud Of All That Happened in 2009

toddw — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:10:28 +0000

Now that the college football season is over and a fresh layer of snow stretches across the flat, now brownish gridiron of the House That Harley Built, it’s time for some reflection of the past 12 months.
And what a year it was.
In April, we attended the annual Scarlet & Gray game and made friends with more than 200 Ohio State faithful and Chic Harley fans. Many who found their way to our booth inside the gray stadium encouraged our continuing efforts to have some appropriate memorial to Chic erected. Perhaps a statue of The One And Only or naming the gridiron Harley Field, they suggested.
In June, we hosted a book launch party in Chicago for The One And Only. Approximately 175 people attended to learn about Chic and what he did for not only OSU, but American football.
Prior to the book launch, we attended the annual enshrinement of football greats into the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. There, we conducted two programs about Harley that included a slide presentation and two videos. Among the attendees was John Cooper who that day became a hall of famer.
In late July, we attended the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland where we sold books and met with many, many people who either had a strong interest in Chic or who wanted to know more.
In August, we drove from Chicago to Columbus to hold a press conference to announce plans to erect a 20-ft. long Harley Field sign at East High School where Chic played from 1912-1915.
Throughout August, we visited Columbus and Ohio State many times to meet with business leaders and retail store owners to help get the word out about The One And Only and Chic.
In late October, the Harley Field sign—in all its orange and black glory—was formally dedicated at ceremonies just before East’s final game of the season. At around the same time, we met with students and residents of Columbus at several book stores and on the college campus in front of St. John Arena.
The year 2009 was a break out year for Chic. We hope 2010 will be even better.
Stay tuned. We know Chic would appreciate your interest.

Chic relationships are unfolding

toddw — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:28:35 +0000

One of the more enjoyable and surprising benefits of my experience writing, publishing and marketing the book on Uncle Chic, The One And Only: Chic Harley - America’s Great Athlete is the fact that a number of people have stepped forward to inquire or to say they are related to Chic himself. While I have not had the time to pursue and delve into these new found relationships, I hope to in the near future. Shortly after we launched this website we were contacted via email from a young man from California who said he’s related to Chic. We responded to him and lo and behold we discovered that he indeed is a great, great nephew who resides in California. I knew his grandfather who was a son of Bill Harley, Chic’s older brother.
Just today, I received a telephone call from a young man—also from California–who said he just learned that he, too, is related to Chic. We talked for a while and I encouraged him to stay in touch so we can figure out the relationship.
In the meantime, in recent days I have received emails from people who have read The One And Only and who have expressed their appreciation that the full and true story on Chic Harley is coming out. I want to say I treasure all of those folks who have taken the time to learn about Chic. I hope they have enjoyed the experience of reading the book.
I hope to be traveling to Ohio later in the year to meet with people interested in learning more about Chic Harley’s life. If you’d like to meet up during one of those visits, give me a call at 847-561-3382.

Big Ten Network Film On Harley Continues To Air

toddw — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:54:38 +0000

Many, many people have stepped forward to express their amazement and appreciation of the recent 7-1/2 minute Big Ten Network film production about Chic Harley. The effort, which began in June when I contacted network executives in Chicago, was a thrilling masterpiece that chronicled the high school and football years of Harley and his tragic, turned triumphant, turned tragic life after that period.
The network first aired the film just prior to the Ohio State-Michigan football game in late November. Since then it has been broadcast many times.
If you haven’t seen it yet, go to bigtennetwork.com/features.
Let us know what you think.