Former Norfolk State president and grandfather of NFL superstar Russell Wilson is dead.
Harrison Wilson has passed away at the age of 94 according to a tweet from ODU. His wife, Lucy, worked their while her husband was president of the city’s HBCU.
“I was saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Harrison B. Wilson. He was a renowned basketball coach, educator, and long-time president of Norfolk State University,” Virginia congressman Bobby Scott wrote on Sunday afternoon. “His tenure at NSU was marked by significant growth and his passion for excellence helped increase the university’s stature as a premier institution of higher education in Virginia. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Dr. Lucy Wilson, his children, grandchildren, and the countless students positively impacted by his life and work.”
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Wilson was a star athlete at Kentucky State University in the 1940s before going on to become a basketball coach at Jackson State in the 1950s where his teams went 340-72. He later transitioned to administration, and in 1975 became the president of Norfolk State College. He would lead Norfolk State for more than two decades in which the school flourished athletically as well as academically, racking up CIAA basketball and football titles and making several Division II Tournament appearances.
It was during Wilson’s tenure that Norfolk State left the CIAA for Division I and the MEAC.
His son Harrison Benjamin Wilson III is the father of Super Bowl XLVIII champion Russell.
No funeral announcements have been made as of yet.
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Dr. Wilson coached JSU basketball until the mid 1960’s. He left JSU to go into administration at Tennessee State University.
My sincerest condolences. I’m, deeply saddened to hear about the transition of dearly presonsiable and dedicated educator as Dr. Harrison B. Wilson. I known Dr. Wilson for many years. As a Teacher and coach at Jackson State University and Dean of the Graduate school of Tennessee State University, and also last but not least, my Advisor, mentor. Rest in peace my dear friend. Thank you for all your support over the years. My our Lord God receive you into his glorious kingdom with Christ Jesus acknowledgement of WELL DONE MY FAITHFUL FRIEND! AMEN.
Rest Easy Up to the Sky!