Newberry College Athletics

John William Harrison, known affectionately as “Bumps” around campus, was a key ingredient to the Newberry College baseball program. Entering Newberry as a student in 1940, Bumps was immediately placed into the starting lineup as the shortstop. Harrison would routinely bat leadoff and was considered one of the best shortstops in South Carolina college baseball. Harrison was the part of the 1942 State Championship team that went 13-2. In addition to three varsity seasons as a baseball player, Harrison played one year of varsity basketball and was a three-time member of the Block “N” Club. As successful off the field as on it, Bumps was named the Student Body President in 1943 and also held the honors of the Excelsior Literary Society, Chairman of the Student Council, and Chairman of the Social Council.