Charles “Charlie” W. Havens, was born in 1903 in Rome, New York. He entered Western Maryland College in 1926, transferring from Colgate University. He played football as center for WMC from 1926-1929, captaining the team in 1929. Havens was named to the All-Maryland football team in 1928 and 1929, and in 1929 was also an honorable mention Associated Press All-American. While a student at WMC, Havens also played baseball and lacrosse.

After graduating in 1930 from WMC with a bachelor’s degree in English and History, Havens played professional football for the Frankford Yellow Jackets (forerunners of the current Philadelphia Eagles). Havens returned to WMC in 1931 as assistant football coach, leaving a year later to coach at St. Aloysius Academy, and returning as WMC assistant coach in 1934. He was named head coach in 1935.

Havens joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 and became an intelligence officer with the 486^th Bomber Group in Sudbury, England. On May 20, 1944, two B-24 Bombers collided. Risking his own life, Havens ran to the wreckage and pulled out 22 men, 12 of whom survived. For his action, he received the Soldier’s Medal, the highest award for noncombat bravery. After World War II, Havens returned to WMC as football coach, also coaching baseball, basketball, lacrosse, and boxing, teaching physical education and health, and working as Director of Athletics. He retired from WMC in 1956, and taught for 12 years in Carroll County Public Schools.

He served in various capacities with many professional associations such as the Intercollegiate Boxing Association (Secretary-Treasurer), the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (member of the executive council), the Mason-Dixon Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (President) and the Middle-Atlantic Athletic Conference (President). Havens served for many years as Director of the City Playground (Westminster) and was actively involved with the City Parks Board and the Recreation Council, and was known as the “Father of Recreation in Carroll County” because of his countywide efforts in establishing recreational programs.

He also served for many years as a member of the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department and its ambulance crew. Havens was also a charter member of the Westminster Rotary Club. In 1970, the Western Maryland College Alumni Association recognized him as one of Western Maryland’s outstanding alumni by bestowing upon him its prestigious meritorious Service Award.

Havens was married for 46 years to the former Jessie Money, who died in 1981. He had two children, Richard G. Havens, and Charles W. Havens III. Havens died in May, 1996.

References:

Charles W. Havens (1903-1996) Papers, MS2015.31, McDaniel College Archives.