Larry Howell
Class of 2020/Inducted in 2021
Hometown: Marion, Ohio
High School: Madison High School, Mansfield, Ohio
College: Purdue University
Best Known for: Coaching – Track and Field
b. May 4, 1942
Howell has made a living out of teaching and coaching, from working with special-needs children in the classroom to all-star throwers on the track.
Howell graduated from Purdue University in 1965 and reached the Valley in 1978 after stretches in Minnesota, Ohio, and Houston.
He coached at Mission for 12 years and coached eight years as a special education teacher for South Texas ISD. Howell produced four state champions in discus and shot put for the Eagles and a U.S. Top 25 thrower in Rachel Garcia of Mission Veterans Memorial High, also coaching at La Joya and Hidalgo. From 2000-07 he developed eight All-Americans as the Track Throwers’ Coach at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
He has instructed track athletes in South Texas for more than 40 years, including influencing Rio Grande City’s Stephen Saenz to become the greatest thrower in Valley history. His All-American Throwers Camp has been popular for many years.