Historical Contributions Experience of Elders

Herman S. Prescott was born on December 9, 1926. He was reared and educated in Hampton, Virginia. Little is know about his childhood or his initiation into Boys Club Work. From 1952-1965, he served as a member of the Hampton Roads Boys Club staff - three years as the Assistant Director and 10 years as the Executive Director. In fact, he was the second Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Boys' Club. He guided the Hampton Roads Boys Club membership growth from 50 to more than 1,200. Moreover, the Club facilities were improved during his tenure.

On September 9, 1965, he became Executive Director of the Salvation Army Bedford-Stuyvesant Boys Club in Brooklyn, New York, and was later appointed Divisional Group Work Director of the Salvation Army of Greater New York.

Mr. Prescott was President of the United States Table Tennis Association, Peninsula United Fund Agency Directors Association and also served as the European Cultural and Sports Exchange representative for the U.S. State Department of Boys Club Workers. In fact, many of his colleagues remember him as a pioneer in table tennis for African American youth.

Prescott was one of the founders of the Concerned Professionals Association of Boys Club workers. He became involved because of his awareness of the need for minorities to participate in the decision-making process of the Boys Club Movement; to reduce the barriers that were limiting minority growth and development and to provide a vehicle for minority staff to carve out meaningful contributions in the field of youth work.

Herman S. Prescott life was cut short on March 15, 1971. He died at the age of 45. His fellow professionals remember him as a "great Boys Club man." One memorial notes: His unselfish devotion, wise counsel, empathy for the unfortunate, and expert knowledge of youth enabled him to help hundreds of boys become outstanding citizens.

In his honor, the Herman S. Prescott Award was created to recognize and remember his spirit, integrity and dedication to service.