Lehigh University Athletics
Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
John J. Harmon*
- Induction:
- 2026
- Class:
- 1959
Three words seem to summarize the life of John Harmon: devotion, support, and humility. His love of Lehigh began under his father’s tutelage – Herbert O. Harmon ’27. But Harmon helped build a legacy on South Mountain as a student, fan, benefactor, journalist, and parent.
As an undergraduate, he was a founding member of the Gryphon Society, president of Pi Delta Epsilon, and a station manager, business manager, and music director for WLRN, the student radio station. Harmon earned a B.A. in mathematics and spent his professional life in computer programming and systems analysis, working for a variety of Fortune 500 companies.
Harmon attended many hundreds of games, matches, and events over his lifetime. As an alumnus and football season ticket holder, he earned membership in the 50 Game Club, having attended 59 Rivalry football games. He was equally passionate about wrestling. It led to an interesting role: journalist.Â
For 20 years, he served as the information director for the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA), the nation’s oldest wrestling conference, and published a periodic newsletter covering all the teams in the conference. He co-authored The History of the EIWA – The First 100 Years, and served as an editor for the National Mat News. Harmon was honored with the Bob Dellinger Award as the nation’s top wrestling journalist in 2012. He was awarded the Lifetime Service Award by the New Jersey Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2014.
Over his lifetime, he and his wife of 58 years, Elaine, quietly went to work, supporting numerous initiatives. That list includes renovations and updates to Goodman Stadium, Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall, the Caruso Wrestling Complex, and Williams Hall. They created numerous endowments for wrestling and provided annual support to wrestling for student-athletes, dinners, clubs, anniversaries, and more.
He never sought and would not accept visible recognition for his commitments of time, talent ,and treasure. Despite all of the financial support and time devoted to Lehigh, there has been no facility dedicated in his name --- because he would never permit it. Thus, it is most appropriate that with the support of his wife Elaine, and daughters Wendy and Debbie ’83 and their families, that renovations now bear this name, including The John J. Harmon ’59 Skybox and Suites at Goodman Stadium, the Harmon Board Room in the Clayton University Center at Packer Hall, and the game operations box named in memory of his father.Â
Harmon passed in 2017 but his quiet leadership, dedication, and spirit live on.
As an undergraduate, he was a founding member of the Gryphon Society, president of Pi Delta Epsilon, and a station manager, business manager, and music director for WLRN, the student radio station. Harmon earned a B.A. in mathematics and spent his professional life in computer programming and systems analysis, working for a variety of Fortune 500 companies.
Harmon attended many hundreds of games, matches, and events over his lifetime. As an alumnus and football season ticket holder, he earned membership in the 50 Game Club, having attended 59 Rivalry football games. He was equally passionate about wrestling. It led to an interesting role: journalist.Â
For 20 years, he served as the information director for the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA), the nation’s oldest wrestling conference, and published a periodic newsletter covering all the teams in the conference. He co-authored The History of the EIWA – The First 100 Years, and served as an editor for the National Mat News. Harmon was honored with the Bob Dellinger Award as the nation’s top wrestling journalist in 2012. He was awarded the Lifetime Service Award by the New Jersey Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2014.
Over his lifetime, he and his wife of 58 years, Elaine, quietly went to work, supporting numerous initiatives. That list includes renovations and updates to Goodman Stadium, Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall, the Caruso Wrestling Complex, and Williams Hall. They created numerous endowments for wrestling and provided annual support to wrestling for student-athletes, dinners, clubs, anniversaries, and more.
He never sought and would not accept visible recognition for his commitments of time, talent ,and treasure. Despite all of the financial support and time devoted to Lehigh, there has been no facility dedicated in his name --- because he would never permit it. Thus, it is most appropriate that with the support of his wife Elaine, and daughters Wendy and Debbie ’83 and their families, that renovations now bear this name, including The John J. Harmon ’59 Skybox and Suites at Goodman Stadium, the Harmon Board Room in the Clayton University Center at Packer Hall, and the game operations box named in memory of his father.Â
Harmon passed in 2017 but his quiet leadership, dedication, and spirit live on.
Wednesday, September 23
Sunday, September 20
Saturday, September 19
Friday, September 18
