Friends of Basketball

James Harley Rose

Year Inducted: 1991

Category: Friends of Basketball

Schools / Organizations: Cave in Rock High School
Hardin County High School

Biography: Harley Rose kept the scorebook for Cave-In-Rock and Hardin County High Schools beginning in 1960. During that period he also had four sons competing on the varsity level. Many nights his wife would go watch one son, while he would go to another in an attempt to see their sons play. Rose is a 1944 graduate of Cave-In-Rock and as a player in those days, he remembers living in rural Hardin county and his problem of getting to and from practices and games. After moving to Cave-In-Rock as a young married man, he and his wife maintained an open house for all athletes who had the same problem he’d experienced. Many athletes took advantage of the opportunity. Rose has been a super fan of Southern Illinois prep basketball for many years and has traveled all over the area to see important games. In addition, Rose has followed the tournament trail during the state series. He has made many friends as well as being a friend of Southern Illinois basketball.  James Harley Rose died on September 28, 2012 at the age of 87.