This is the fifth in a series of articles on the history of Princeton football in honor of its 135th anniversary.
Few people remember the name Harland Baker '22. Many have never heard it. Even those who spent a lot of time with the man in the past might not recognize the name.
The reason is not because he was someone forgettable. The reason is not because he was only around for a short amount of time. The real reason that no one remembers Harland Baker is that no one called him Harland. Instead, they called one of the greatest football players in Princeton history by his nickname: Pink.
Ask someone if they remember Pink Baker and the response will surely be a much different one. In doing this article, Somers Steelman '54, a former Princeton football player, glowingly answered the broad question, "What can you tell me about Pink Baker?"
Steelman's response sums up the way most who came into contact with Pink felt about him.
"Ahh, Pink Baker. One of the all-time Princeton greats. What a great, great man," Steelman said.
Steelman then, as if it had all happened yesterday, began telling numerous stories about Baker and the encounters he and others were fortunate enough to have with him.
'Scrubs'
Steelman, like countless former Tigers, easily remembered the first time he met Baker. It was in the fall of his freshman year. He and the rest of the 100 or so Princeton football players congregated at Dillon Gym to pick up their equipment. Scattered on the floor were dozens and dozens of duffel bags, each labeled with a player's name.
After much searching, Steelman was one of a few who was unable to locate his bag. He told Pink he couldn't find it. "Your bag's not here," Baker replied. "Your bag's in the corner, along with the rest of the scrubs' bags."
These "scrubs" however, were Bakers main concern. In fact, for six decades, they were his life.
After Baker's days of glory on the Princeton football field (including being one of the stars of 1922's infamous, national championship-winning "Team of Destiny"), he longed to remain associated with the team.
The position that he chose was an adviser to the incoming freshman members of the football team. The advising extended from the field to far off it.
Beyond the field
Baker advised the freshmen in every aspect of their new college life. Football was obviously important to Baker, who helped freshmen deal with the high demands of practice and games. During either, the players could always go to Baker with a question.
This was possible because he was at every single practice and every single game, both home and away. This dedication is made even more amazing by the fact that he kept this same routine for sixty years.
Off the field, Baker was equally approachable. He expected his players to carry themselves with manners and style, like true gentlemen.
There were always a few kids on the team who did not have the means necessary to obtain a proper wardrobe. Baker would not allow them to continue to dress improperly, however.
To prevent this, he would contact old members of past football teams and ask for — and receive — a donation of sport coats for every player who needed one.
"Ask any player who came in to contact with Pink, and he'll certainly have countless stories about him," Steelman said. "Even now, when we past football players get together, his name is guaranteed to come up."
Baker was so respected and well-liked that past members of the football team found it absolutely necessary that something be done to honor him. This gave rise to the Harland "Pink" Baker '22 Award.
This award is given annually to a freshman member of the football team who is voted to have made the biggest impact on the season. Thus, it highlights the type of person that Pink, who passed away in 1988, spent his lifetime helping.
The award is not the only lasting tribute to the great man. There is also a statue in the lobby of Jadwin Gym that commemorates Baker's dedication to Princeton football and its players.
The statue is titled "The Princeton Student" and depicts a student carrying books but wearing cleats, signifying the marriage of academics and athletics.
And no one helped more students effectively combine the two than Harland 'Pink' Baker.
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