TITUSVILLE & COACH JOHN W. HEISMAN CONNECTION

Written by Jerry Schill

Tuesday, 25 August 2009 12:17

By Jerry Schill

Parades, pageants, food, games & fun! Those are just a few of the words that come to mind when thinking about festivals in small towns & cities all over America. Some of the events become so "well-oiled", (pun intended), over the years that they seem to operate on cruise control. Not so with the Oil 150 celebrations in the region, due mainly to the magnitude and the significance of the anniversary.

Natives of this area know what happened in Titusville that August day of 1859, and most Americans, with a little prodding, can recollect learning about Colonel Drake, Titusville and "the well" back in their grade school days.

There are, however, bits and pieces of our local history that even escape the native population, yet are extremely interesting to history buffs, if not a very important part of our culture.

One example is the relationship of the Heisman name with Titusville in general and oil in particular. John William Heisman attended schools in Titusville, graduating from Titusville High School in 1887. He learned to play football in Titusville and went on to become one of the greatest collegiate football coaches of all time. Each December, America waits to hear who will receive the Heisman Memorial Trophy, one of the most coveted awards in sports.

But what about the man himself? The man who had his character and work ethic molded in northwestern Pennsylvania? A famous name for sure, but the man who used football to teach young men how to live the rest of their lives. Who believed in playing the game with passion, the will to win without using profanity and yet do so as gentlemen. Heisman doesn't just represent excellence in sports, but excellence in life itself! And he grew up right here and with oil money enabling him to do so. He excelled in academics and had a great interest in the arts, particularly Shakespeare.

The important element that even many natives miss is the direct link of oil to the Heisman name. The coach's Dad, Michael Heisman, moved his family from Cleveland to Titusville precisely because of Colonel Drake's success 150 years ago. A cooper by trade, Michael Heisman built wooden oil barrels in Titusville that were used to move the oil that brought so much wealth and culture to the region. He was also part owner of one of the first refineries in Titusville.

What gauges success for a shindig like Titusville's Oil 150 celebration? If all that happens is a big party with no lasting effect it will be an abysmal failure. We need to instill in some of our visitors enough goodwill to brag about the area when they go back home so others will be enticed to visit in the future. The history of Colonel Edwin L. Drake and the Drake Well Museum are certainly a part of the attraction, but there needs to be more efforts in recognizing the accomplishments of such notable names like Heisman.

That's why Titusville is dedicating a John William Heisman highway marker, and having a Heisman display at the Oil 150 celebration. It is also why John M. Heisman, the coach's great-nephew and his wife Elaine of Toledo are this year's parade Grand Marshals. They will be accompanied by Ursula Cox of Atlanta, the Coach's granddaughter.

It's a perfect year for such recognition. While this year is the 150th anniversary of "the well", this December will mark the 75th year for the Heisman Memorial Trophy.

Jerry Schill is the former Executive Director of the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce and a volunteer member of the Heisman Recognition Committee.

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