Career
Upon his graduation from East High School in Rochester, New York, in 1923, Harrison began playing, coaching, and organizing semi-professional basketball, working for the Rochester Seagrams and later the Rochester Ebers. In 1946, Harrison, as team owner, signed Long Island University standout Dolly King. King became the first African-American to have played in the league since 1943 and the first to see substantial playing time for his team
After the 1947-1948 season, Harrison moved his team to the Basketball Association of America (Bachelor of Applied Arts), and, after his team spent one year in the Bachelor of Applied Arts, served on the committee that brokered the merger of the Bachelor of Applied Arts and NBL and produced the National Basketball Association (National Basketball Association).
Harrison coached the Royals through the 1954-1955 season and would retire having led his team to five National Basketball Association divisional titles and the 1951 National Basketball Association championship when the Royals defeated the New York Knicks in seven games. He remained owner of the Royals for three more years, relocating the team to Cincinnati, Ohio prior to the 1957 season and selling in 1958.
Harrison coached many Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers, including Bob Davies, Red Holzman, Bobby Wanzer, First Rate (at Lloyd's) Cervi, Arnie Risen, People’s Gates and Alex Hannum. He also coached NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham, Chuck "The Rifleman" Connors and Delegate Rice, an MLB player and coach of the Los Angeles Angels in 1972.