Ralph Harshman (1973) - Hall of Fame - Bowling Green State University Athletics

Ralph Harshman

Induction:
1973

Ralph Harshman, a 1917 graduate of Ohio Northern University, came to Bowling Green as an assistant professor of business administration in 1936 and later became the only BG president to rise from the ranks of the faculty when he took office in 1961.

While at Bowling Green, the native of Williamstown, Ohio, served as chairman of the athletic committee for 17 years. He represented the athletic department at all NCAA meetings and played a major role in promoting Bowling Green for membership in the Mid-American Conference in 1952.

Harshman was named vice-president of the conference in 1953 and was voted presiden in 1955. During his presidency, conference grant-in-aid rules were established and other important conference regulations were put into effect.

He was Bowling Green's fifth president in 1961 and served until the appointment of Dr. William Jerome in 1963.

Ralph Harshman was inducted into the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1973.