Joe Harris was a 1959 Division I All-Ohio for the 220-yard dash and was a nine-time state qualifier. He qualified to state two times each for the 100- and 220-yard dashes, plus three times in long jump and twice as a member of the 880-yard relay. He was an Elyria District (now regional) record-holder for the 220 (22.25, 1959), 100 (10.5, 1958) plus as a member of the 880-yard relay (1:35.5). Harris was a two-time Elyria District winner for the 220 and won the 1958 Elyria District for 100 yards and took second in the 100 at districts in 1959. Harris also won seven Southwestern Conference titles.
“One of my fondest memories was coming from behind and to pass Elyria in the anchor leg to help us win the districts in the 880-yard relay at Ely Stadium my sophomore year,” said Harris. “Back then the 220-yard dash at Ohio Stadium was run on a straightaway. When I ran at Oberlin College and at the Mansfield Relays we also ran the 220 on a straightaway. I liked the 100 because it was so quick, but the 220 was my best event.”
Harris was the Oberlin High boys and girls track coach from 1974-95. His 1985 Oberlin girls team was the Division II state runner-up, one point behind Ravenna Southeast for the title. Harris’ girls varsity program produced four state champions. Harris guided the Oberlin High boys to a 1985 Olmsted Falls Class AA Sectional title and to three straight Lakeland Conference titles from 1984-86. His boys teams had three All-Ohio (top six) performances in relays.
“The 1985 Oberlin High girls team was special,” said Harris. “We probably had a shot at winning the state but our mile relay was disqualified at districts (now known as regionals).”
Joe Harris, Jr.
Born: 1940 in Coatopa, Alabama
Residence: Elyria, Ohio
Family: Parents: Joseph Sr. and Pearlina Harris. Wife: Vonya. Children: Kyla Lynn Ross and Joe Harris III. Stepdaughters: Yvette English, Carla Copeland and Kecia Austin. 3 grandchildren. 4 great-grandchildren
Siblings: Brothers: Roosevelt Harris, Willie Harris and John Tolbert. Sisters: Julia Bush and Barbara Kirby
Education
1960: Oberlin High School
Attended Cameron Junior College from 1960-61
1965: University of Mexico, bachelor’s degree
1994: Kent State University, masters degree in education and administration
Athletic highlights
Oberlin High School (1956-60)
Track and field
9-time state qualifier. 3-time state qualifier for long jump, two-time state qualifier for each the 100-yard dash, 220-yard dash and as a member of the 880-yard relay. 4-time regional champion. Won seven Southwestern Conference titles
1959: Division I state qualifier in the 100-yard, 220-yard dash and long jump. Fourth in the 220-yard dash at the Division I state meet
1959: Elyria Division I regional champ 220-yard dash (regional record, 22.25), regional runner-up for the 100-yard dash plus was second in long jump. He also was a member of the second place 880-yard relay that included Charlie Butts, Ed Petroff and Lee Townsel. Helped Oberlin to a second place team finish behind Rocky River, 51-47.
1958: Division I state qualifier in the 100-yard, 220-yard dash and long jump
1958: Elyria Division I regional champ 100-yard dash (10.5, meet record) and 220-yard dash (22.6) plus was second in long jump. He also advanced to state as a member of the winning 880-yard relay along with Charlie Butts, Ruben Townsel and Lee Townsel (1:35.5, meet record).
1957: Division I state qualifier in long jump. Finished second at the Rhodes regional.
Football
4-year starter at tight end and safety. All-SWC
Basketball
3-year All-SWC
Cameron Junior College (1961)
1961: North Texas State invite: 9.4 for 100-yard dash
University of New Mexico (1961-65)
Led University of New Mexico varsity football team in rushing as a junior and a senior. Second on the team in rushing is a sophomore.
UNM has won only four conference championships in football. Harris played on three of these championship teams while playing in the WAC
Coaching highlights
Oberlin High School
1974-95: Varsity track and field coach
– Led girls track team to 1985 Class AA state runner-up, one point behind Ravenna Southeast (31-30)
– Produced four state champions for girls: Marnele Jackson (100 meters and 200 meters, 1985); 4×100 meters (Aravetta Alston, Crystal Tolbert, Dawn Ross, Jackson, 1985); 880-yard medley relay (Dawn Bradford, Michelle McCallum, Kathy Schubert, Kim Gilbert, 1975)
– Coached three All-Ohio relays for boys: 4×400 (Omar Beckman, Mike Wells, Shannon Green, Sam Dyson, 1991- 6th place); 4×800 (Carl Johnson, Vincent White, Dave Meek, Chianti Ghalson, 1986 – 4th place); 4×400 (James Woodson, Vincent White, Emmanuel Cash, Brian Wells, 1984 – 5th place)
– Had other six boys earn All-Ohio (David Bell, long jump, 1991 – 6th place); (Anthony Brown, long jump, 1989 – 6th place); (Jason Alston, 400 meters, 1988 – 6th place); (Steve Jackson, 200 meters, 1984 – 5th place); (Bob Harris, discus, 1976 – 6th place); (Allen Smith, pole vault, 1975 – 6th place)
– 1986 Class AA Northeast Ohio Track Coach of the Year
– 1984-86: Lakeland Conference boys track champions
1965-95: Coached boys and girls basketball at various levels including varsity boys and varsity girls teams
Other work highlights
1965-95: Teacher for Oberlin City Schools
2001-18: GED (General Educational Development) teacher for the Lorain Correctional Institution in Grafton, Ohio