Harvey Welch played basketball for Centralia Township Junior College, now Kaskaskia College.  Harvey was the leading scorer and set a new record at the college.  

Harvey continued his basketball career at Southern Illinois University, where he was an All-Star and distinguished himself as a Air Force ROTC student.  Harvey received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and entered the United States Air Force in June 1955. 

Harvey retired in 1975 as a Lieutenant Colonel having served as a Training Officer, Administrative Officer, Squadron Commander, Group Operations Officer, Higher Education Program Manager, Director of Air Force Civilian Institutions Special Programs, Professor of Aerospace Students and Commandant of Cadets and the Training Advisor to the Commandant of the Turkish Air Force.  

From 1975 until 1999, Harvey served as the Dean of Student Life, Vice President and later Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.  From February 1995  until December 1997, Harvey was the Chief Student Officer at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville.  In addition to his duties at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, Harvey was responsible for Financial Aid, university housing, student health, student recreation, the Student Center, and student development and activities at the Edwardsville campus.