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Howell’s honor is well-deserved
Jackson County now has two representatives enshrined in the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
Legendary high school coach Babe Howell of Webster was inducted last Friday, joining Cullowhee native Ed Sutton, a local football luminary some 50 years ago.
We are especially pleased to see the Hall’s spotlight shining on Howell. Of the nearly 230 inductees, he is the first high school coach from Western North Carolina and one of the few figures representing high school sports. Sutton, known as the “Cullowhee Comet” starred on Sylva High’s gridiron, but his inclusion in the Hall of Fame is based more on his exploits at Carolina and in the NFL.
Howell spent more than a quarter-century coaching at Sylva-Webster and Smoky Mountain, establishing a tradition of success that resulted in his status as the state’s “winningest” high school coach – in both football and baseball – at the time of his retirement. Through his seven state championships (five in football and two in baseball), Howell focused positive attention on Jackson County. Sylva became known across the state for its tradition of football excellence.
Howell was a leader in other areas as well. He is credited with helping the transition to an integrated school system proceed smoothly. His acceptance of players Tommy Love and Leroy Jackson provided a model for the school and community to follow. And the success (11-1) of that 1965 state championship football team, with Love in the starring role, helped cement the acceptance of black students by the S-W school community.
Howell also provided leadership during a second time of community flux. When S-W and Cullowhee high schools were consolidated in 1987, Howell’s winning teams got the new school’s football program off to a successful start.
An upright and honorable man, Howell expected the student athletes who played for him to exhibit the same traits. He urged them to attend church regularly and reminded them that since they represented Sylva-Webster both on and off the field, they should be sure their actions cast a favorable light on their school.
How fitting that Sutton, who now lives in California, was able to make the trip to Raleigh to see a second Jackson County legend join the Hall.
We’re happy to see Howell receive the state recognition that befits his achievements and proud that his coaching legacy will be on display to inspire future generations of Tar Heels.
Congratulations, Coach, on your well-deserved honor.
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