Former Coach at Harvard Is Hall of Fame Inductee

William T. Reid '01, who played a major role in the legalization of the forward pass, will be inducted into the Football Hall of Fame October 23 at the Varsity Club. Reid played fullback for the Crimson in 1898 and 1899, and later coached.

Ten others are scheduled for induction this year, but Reid and Albert Exendine, who played for the Carlisle Indian Institute, are the only ones still alive.

Reid was coach of Harvard in 1905 when public unhappiness about the brutality of football spurred President Roosevelt to call together the coaches of Harvard. Yale, Princeton, and Penn.

"Brutality and foul play should receive the same summary punishment given to a man who cheats at cards," Roosevelt said at the time.

The consultation was largely unsuccessful, and the situation became so critical that Harvard started planning to cancel the 1906 season.

Reid was then named to a national rules committee, but for a while the committee failed to accomplish anything. He became more forceful and finally the committee adopted several new rules, including the forward pass and the 60-minute time limit. Harvard was satisfied with the results and renewed its 1906 schedule.

During his three years as Harvard's coach. Reid had a record of 30-3-1. Yale beat the Crimson, 6-0, both of his last two years.

Reid now lives in Brookline.