Former Engineers hockey coach Nevin D. “Ned” Harkness passed away at his home in Rochester Friday­—his 89th birthday—after having recently suffered a stroke.
Harkness re-started the Rensselaer men’s hockey program when he arrived at the Institute in 1949 and, in his 14-year career as head coach of the Engineers through 1963, Harkness led the hockey team to 176 wins, ranking him third highest in number of wins and second in winning percentage (.643) in RPI’s history. He enjoyed 10 winning seasons, and three teams under him (1952-53, 1953-54, 1960-61) saw play in the NCAA Tournament, winning the tournament in 1954. During Harkness’ time coaching, 10 of his student athletes were named National All-Americans, six of whom were also placed on the first team.
When inducted into the Hockey Ring of Honor in 2007, President Shirley Ann Jackson said, “There have been many legends at Rensselaer, but none greater than Ned Harkness.”
Inside College Hockey lists Harkness fifth among the 16 best college hockey coaches of all time, noting he was one of two to win NCAA championships at different schools.
The Engineers’ 1954 national championship in hockey was not the first championship for Harkness. In 1952, he led the men’s lacrosse team to the national championship, and coupled with the 1954 hockey championship, became the first NCAA coach to win national championships in two sports.
Harkness received many honors, as an inductee to the RPI Athletics Hall of Fame, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1994, and the United States Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2001.
After his tenure at RPI, Harkness continued as a coach at Cornell University and Union College before joining the National Hockey League’s Detroit Red Wings, where he eventually served as general manager.
A native of Ottawa, Harkness graduated from Worcester Academy in Worcester, Mass., in 1939. He then enrolled at the Royal Canadian Air Force Academy and served with the Canadian Air Force in World War II, flying 39 successful bombadier missions over Europe.
“Ned Harkness was a true legend,” said Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton. “The things he and his teams accomplished are nothing short of amazing. Most importantly, however, he was a leader who used innovative techniques to teach and inspire with passion and intensity.”
Jackson said in an e-mail to the RPI community, “Ned Harkness held the banner of Rensselaer close to his heart, and always stood ready to help the Institute in any way we asked. His legacy will live on in the annals of Rensselaer’s history, and we will always celebrate his name and his imprint on the game of life. He was a leader who taught and inspired with passion and intensity.”
A memorial service will be held October 11 at 11 am in the First Presbyterian Church in Glens Falls.
