Leo Harris
| Sport(s) | Football, basketball |
|---|---|
| Biographical details | |
| Born |
August 6, 1904 Santa Cruz, California |
| Died | April 22, 1990 (aged 85) Carmel, California |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| 1926–1927 | Stanford |
| Position(s) | Tackle |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1933–1935 | Fresno State |
| Basketball | |
| 1932–1933 | Fresno State |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1947–1967 | Oregon |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 18–9–1 (football) 7–7 (basketball) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| Football 2 Far Western (1934–1935) |
|
Leo A. Harris (August 6, 1904 – April 22, 1990) was an American athlete, coach, and athletic director. He played college football at Stanford University, coached football and basketball at Fresno State College, and was the first athletic director for the University of Oregon, bringing success to a financially troubled system. He was also known for his handshake deal with Walt Disney that permitted the University of Oregon to use the likeness of Donald Duck as the basis for its mascot, the Oregon Duck.
Harris was a fullback and guard at Santa Cruz High School in Santa Cruz, California. He attended Stanford University, where he played tackle for legendary coach "Pop" Warner in 1925 and 1926.
Following his collegiate playing career, Harris was football coach at Fresno State College from 1933 to 1935, winning Far West Conference championships the last two years. Harris also coached Fresno State's basketball program.
In 1947, Harris was named athletic director at the University of Oregon, the first person to hold that title. At that time, Oregon's athletic department was in serious financial trouble. Through fundraising and careful planning, Harris expanded both the quality of the University's athletic programs as well as its facilities. His most significant achievement was the construction of Autzen Stadium, built on land Harris had acquired for the purpose many years earlier, and paid for with money he had saved for the purpose. Harris also oversaw expansion of McArthur Court and improvements to Hayward Field and the baseball team's Howe Field.
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