Shorts on long forgotten

RAY VAUGHN: STAR AT COLGATE, BRUSHED OFF
NATIONALLY BECAUSE HE WAS BLACK

Ray Vaughn was a big star for Oil City's unbeaten (8-0-3) team in 1924. The Oilers were then coached by George Woodman, who went on to fame as coach of the Clairton High School Bears.

Woodman was a Colgate man -- and so would soon be Ray Vaughn. But times were not always happy for Vaughn at the New York State school. He didn't always get to play -- because he was black.

Here's his story that appeared in The Derrick/The News Herald a few years back..

WALTER BORLAND: OIL CITY'S UNLIKELY
CONNECTION TO LSU

Walter Siverly (like the neighborhood) Borland, who was born and died in Oil City, coached the LSU Tigers in both football and baseball around the turn of the 20th century.

Borland was a 1900 graduate of Allegheny College where he excelled in football and baseball. He captained the baseball team and was sophomore class president in 1898.

Borland was LSU's first coach in athletics. His football teams went 5-1 in 1901, 6-1 in 1902 and 4-5 in 1903. His baseball teams were 6-6-1 in 1902 and 4-5 in 1903.

He returned to Oil City where he and his brother William founded Borland Lumber Co. at 301 Duncomb St. in 1905.

Walter was born in Oil City on Feb. 1, 1878, and died here on Dec. 22, 1959, at the age of 81. His brother died many years earlier from injuries after being hit by a car at the corner of Seneca and Center streets.

FRANKLIN'S GEORGE HARRIS WAS A REBEL

Franklin's George Harris lettered at Ole Miss from 1952-54 when the Rebels were 24-5-3 under coach John Vaught.

Harris played mostly tackle and some end in high school when Ted Marchibroda was the quarterback. He became a full-time end in college.

The 6-0, 194-pounder played on the Rebels' Southeast Conference champions in 1954 and in two Sugar Bowls -- a 24-7 loss to Georgia Tech in 1953 and a 21-0 loss to Navy in 1955.

Actually, Harris injured an ankle in the first quarter against Navy. He did return, but saw only limited action.

His fumble recovery on the Maryland 13, in which he leaped over two Terrapins, set up a touchdown that sparked a 21-14 upset in 1952. He caught seven passes for 89 yards that season.

Harris had seven catches for 115 yards going into the 1954 regular season finale against Mississippi State. He stole a pitchout after the Bulldogs reached there Ole Miss 18 and returned the ball 22 yards to the 40, triggering a TD drive in the 14-0 victory that clinched the SEC title.

Franklin celebrated George Harris Night on March 10, 1955. There was a testimonial dinner at the Elks followed by a get-together at the Lions Club.

Harris died in 2007 at age 78.