Hardge Davis, Jr., 3-Time NCAA Champion, Dies at Age 65

Hardge Davis, Jr. was a standout quarter-mile sprinter at Villanova between 1966-1970, where he won three NCAA championships, five Penn Relays Championship of America titles, and six IC4A crowns.  Davis came to Villanova from New Jersey in 1966, after graduating from Montclair High School. He became a key contributor on the mile relay and sprint medley relay squads that dominated the competition on some of Jumbo Elliott's best teams.  His list of championships included:





3 x NCAA Mile Relay champion (1968i, 1968, 1970)
3 x Penn Relays Mile Relay champion (1968, 1969, 1970)
2 x Penn Relays Sprint Medley champion (1969, 1970)
5 x IC4A Mile Relay champion (1968i, 1968, 1969i, 1969, 1970)
1 x IC4A 440-yard Relay champion (1968)

Hardge graduated with a degree in economics from Villanova in 1970 and went on to Seton Hall Law School, from which he earned his JD degree in 1977.   He practiced law in New Jersey until his death.  Davis served his country as a member of the US Marine Corps Reserve.  He passed on May 31st.

Here is his obituary from the Star-Ledger:

Hardge Davis Jr.

Obituary

Hardge Davis Jr., Esq., 65, made his transition on May 31, 2013. The celebration of his life will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. James A.M.E. Church, 588 Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Blvd., Newark, N.J. Visitation is Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of service at the church. Arrangements are by Whigham Funeral Home. Hardge was a resident of East Orange, N.J. He was a 1970 graduate of Villanova University with a bachelor of arts degree in economics and a 1977 graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law. A former partner of the law firm Brown-Robinson, Davis and Davis and Wearing, Esquires, in 1999 he became a sole legal practitioner in Newark and East Orange, N.J. Hardge was a U.S. Marine Reserve veteran. He was the beloved husband of Jacquelyn Rucker Davis, Esq.; devoted father of Selina Jewel Davis, M.D., and Solana Ardienne Davis; son of the late Hardge Sr. and Narsis Davis; dear brother of Margaret N. Johnson, Mollie Davis and the late Frank Davis; brother-in- law of Jill Rucker Simmons (Edwin Dudley Simmons) and Mark Rucker (Phyllis Rucker). He is also survived by a host of other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make donation to The United Negro College Fund, 8260 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr., Fairfax, Va. 22031 or www.uncf.org.