University of South Dakota Athletics

Harry Bartron was a two-sport standout for South Dakota. Originally of Watertown, SD, Bartron earned all-North Central Conference honors as an end in 1936. He was one of the heroes of two straight victories by South Dakota on Dakota Day. In 1935, Bartron, who earned three football letters and two letters in track and field, threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Coyote Hall of Fame member Billy Ryan that helped the Coyotes upend South Dakota State, 7-2. In the 1936 game, Bartron executed the same play for a 35-yard touchdown pass to Rollie Smith as USD overcame a 12-0 deficit to defeat Morningside, 25-12. During the '36 and '37 seasons, USD was runner-up in the NCC, each time losing a close game to the NCC champ North Dakota. His track efforts included a fourth place finish in the mile run at the 1937 North Central Conference meet. Bartron received his bachelor's degree at USD in 1938, then attended Northwestern University and earned his M.D. degree in 1942. After that, he served as a physician and surgeon in Watertown and Clark.