18 Facts About Hugo Friend

Hugo Morris Friend was an American jurist who, in his youth, competed as an athlete in the long jump and hurdles.

Hugo Friend is best remembered as the judge who presided over the criminal trial of the Chicago Black Sox, which ended in an acquittal.

Hugo Friend attended the University of Chicago beginning in 1901, where he became a track star.

Hugo Friend was selected for the United States team for the 1906 Intercalated Games in Athens, Greece and won a bronze medal.

Hugo Friend became a lawyer in 1908 and a judge twelve years later.

Hugo Friend presided over the Black Sox trial in 1921, and when the defendants were acquitted, he responded to the jubilation in the courtroom with a smile.

Hugo Friend graduated from South Division High School in Chicago in 1901.

Hugo Friend attended the University of Chicago, where he was a track star.

Hugo Friend twice won the Big Ten long jump championship.

Hugo Friend was the captain of Chicago's Big Ten champion track team, the first time one of the university's teams had won the Big Ten Championship.

Hugo Friend was selected for the United States team for the 1906 Intercalated Games in Athens and won a bronze medal in the long jump, finishing fourth in the 100 metre hurdles.

Hugo Friend played football in college, though never at the varsity level.

Hugo Friend received his undergraduate degree in 1906; he continued at the university and secured his JD degree in 1908.

Hugo Friend joined the Illinois Bar in 1908, and began the practice of law in Chicago.

In 1921, Judge Hugo Friend was assigned the Chicago "Black Sox" case; eight ex-White Sox players had been suspended from baseball after being indicted for throwing the 1919 World Series, along with several gamblers and go-betweens.

Hugo Friend was not called upon to do so; all of the defendants were acquitted amid scenes of jubilation, observed by a smiling Judge Friend.

Hugo Friend was elected in 2006 into the University of Chicago Athletic Hall of Fame.

Hugo Friend's listing cites his 1906 "Olympic" accomplishments and his Big Ten feats, including his track team captaincy.