Sports Figures Who Attended Harvard

SI Staff | Jul 17, 2012

Sports Figures Who Attended Harvard

Jeremy Lin

Peter Read Miller/SI

The former Harvard star (who didn't have single athletic scholarship offer out of high school) was a global sensation with the Knicks in 2011-12, when he came out of nowhere to average 18.2 points and 7.7 assists in 25 starts.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

David Bergman/SI

The Bills quarterback struggled after signing a big contract in October 2011, playing poorly during Buffalo's brutal 1-8 finish to the season. He had no such troubles at Harvard, leading the Crimson to a 10-0 record during his 2004 senior season.

Matt Birk

AP

The six-time Pro Bowl center and 2012 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year was an All-Ivy player for the Crimson.

Tommy Lee Jones

Getty Images

The Academy Award winner starred on Harvard's football team before he made it in Hollywood, playing offensive tackle for the Crimson's undefeated 1968 squad.

Marv Levy

AP

Levy didn't play sports at Harvard, earning a master's in English history in 1951 before starting his coaching career.

Bobby Jones

AP

One of the greatest golfers of all time, Jones graduated from Harvard in 1924 with a degree in English Literature.

Larry Scott

Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

The former WTA CEO and current Pac-12 commissioner was an All-American tennis player at Harvard.

Brian Burke

AP

The longtime NHL GM graduated from Harvard with a JD/MBA in 1981.

Shep Messing

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

The former New York Cosmos goalie and longtime American soccer notable was a two-time second-team All-American at Harvard. In this 2011 photo, Messing shares a laugh with John Harkes at the MLS Legends Game.

Steve Moore

AP

The former Colorado Avalanche player had his NHL career prematurely ended in 2004 by a Todd Bertuzzi sucker punch.

Chris Nowinski

AP

An All-Ivy football player at Harvard, Nowinski was a professional wrestler until a 2003 concussion ended his career in the ring. He's now a concussion specialist, writing a 2006 book on the subject and helping to raise awareness for brain injuries in NFL players.

Ted Donato

Gary T. Gartley/Icon SMI

The longtime Boston Bruin scored 150 goals and had 197 assists during his 14-year NHL career. The 1989 NCAA tournament MVP has served as Harvard's head coach since 2004.

Craig Adams

AP

The Penguins forward has won two Stanley Cups since leaving Harvard in 1996, one with Carolina and one with Pittsburgh.

Pat McInally

Getty Images

A punter and receiver for the Bengals in the '70s and '80s, McInally led the nation in receiving during his senior season at Harvard.

Dominic Moore

Fred Vuich/SI

The current Lightning forward has bounced around the NHL since leaving Harvard, playing for eight franchises in eight seasons in the league. He played with older brothers Steve and Mark on the Harvard hockey team.