Chalmers High School

Harry Friday was born into a tenant farmer’s family in Chalmers, Indiana. He became quite an athlete and went about his high school athletic endeavors in the same manner and this got to the famous coach at University of Chicago, Alonzo Stagg. He offered Harry a chance to attend university and promised to make him a greater athlete.

Upon hearing of the offer, Harry’s excited mother demanded a family meeting at dinner to explain the great news to the father. After hearing of the offer, Harry’s father rose from the table and stated that “no son of his would attend a university to come home to walk behind the ass end of a mule” or something like that. A few weeks passed and when Harry awoke his mother suggested that he pack his bag, because they were going to Chicago by way of the Monon. Arriving in Chicago, Harry Friday enrolled at the University of Chicago and his mother found work to help with the cost. (Remember there was very little money given for scholarships at this time.) He immediately became a big-time name and his name was being circulated through the newspapers of Chicago. The two were still so mad at the father that they went to the clerk’s office and had their name Friday changed to Frieda.

In 1923, Harry Frieda won the NCAA javelin and because of his versatility as an athlete he placed five times in the National AAU Championships, qualified for the 1924 Olympic team, placing eighth in the decathlon. In 1925, he won the Western Conference (Big Ten) Medal for scholarship and athletic abilities.

Harry began teaching and coaching and saved enough money to purchase a farm just north of the homestead. He now made full circle to “walk behind the ass end of that mule.”