TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Harrison B. Wilson II 1925–2019 Past Norfolk State University President, Collegiate Basketball Coach, U.S. Navy
By Aaron Williams N ational Football League (NFL) star quarterback to miss you Grandpa. This is my Grand- father whose no longer with us.” Dr. Harrison B. Wilson II was more than just the parental grandfather of an NFL start- ing QB. He was a father, Navy veteran, basketball coach, college administrator and a vitally important figure in the his- tory of Norfolk State University (NSU). Dr. Harrison B. Wilson II entered the Chapter Invisible on July 28, 2019 at the age of 94. Norfolk State University released the following statement upon the passing of Dr. Wilson. “The Spartan family mourns the loss of one of its stalwart champions. It is with sadness that we announce the passing of former Norfolk State University Presi- dent, Dr. Harrison Benjamin Wilson II, who led our fine institution from 1975- 1997.” “I join the entire Spartan community in mourning the loss of Dr. Harrison B. Wilson. For more than two decades, his leadership brought tremendous achieve- ment to Norfolk State University and charted a new course for the institution, both in academics and in athletics. As we reflect on his extraordinary life, legacy, and good will, my thoughts are with his wife, Dr. Lucy Wilson, his family, and the students, educators, and many others who loved him and learned from him.” In his press release, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) emphasized Dr. Wilson "helped Russell Wilson posted on his social media account, “Going The office of Virginia governor Ralph Northam issued a statement:
transform Norfolk State into the pivotal institution it is today." Harrison Benjamin Wilson II was born on April 21, 1925 in Amsterdam, NY, the fifth of seven children born Marguerite (née Ayers) Wilson and Harrison Benja- min Wilson, Sr. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1947 prior to enroll- ing in Kentucky State University (KSU) located in Frankfort, KY. Nicknamed “Monk” as a freshman basketball player, the 6’3” Wilson lettered in basketball, baseball and football and earned Mid- western Conference honors in basketball and football. In addition to being star athlete, Wilson was an academic honor student. While at KSU, Wilson joined the Fraternity as a 1948 initiate of the Kentucky State University Chapter, the Alpha Upsilon of Kappa Alpha Psi®. Interestingly, his first cousin, legendary Tennessee State University football coach and College Football Hall of Fame in- ductee, John Merritt was also a member of the 1948 Alpha Upsilon pledge line.
After graduating with high honors in 1950, Wilson pursued graduate educa- tion from Indiana University-Bloom- ington. According to Wilson, “I played basketball (at KSU) for Joe Fletcher and he nudged me toward taking the head basketball coaching job at Jackson State College (now University) when I finished my masters at Indiana.” Wilson earned a M.A. and D.H.S. in health science and administration from Indiana University while serving as head basketball coach at Jackson State University (JSU). Hired for a one-year appointment, Wilson coached basketball at JSU for 16 years where his teams won 371 and lost 93 with his worst season was his first where his Tigers team posted a 19-8 record. He was one of the school’s most successful coaches where he never experienced a losing season and won the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in basket- ball multiple times. Despite his winning program, Wilson’s teams were prohibited from participating in the national post
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