John Howard (lacrosse)
Encyclopedia
John Douglas "Hezzy" Howard (December 12, 1934 – July 19, 2007) was an American educator and college lacrosse
player and coach. He coached the University of Maryland
lacrosse team from 1966 to 1969 and amassed a 32–7–1 record. He attended Washington College
, where in 1956 he received the Jack Turnbull Award
as the nation's best attackman. Howard was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1978. At the University of Maryland, Howard also taught as an English professor and held various posts in the school's English department including acting chairman from 1979 to 1980.
born on December 12, 1934, Howard attended St. Mary's High School starting in 1948, where he played lacrosse on the school's first team. He graduated in 1952.
Howard then went on to Washington College
in 1953, where he played soccer, and lacrosse as an attackman and face-off man. He was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa
honor society. In 1954, Howard led the nation in assists and helped the Shoremen capture the Laurie Cox Division championship. The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
named Howard an honorable mention All-American
. The following the season, he repeated as the nation's assist leader and the USILA named him to its third team. In 1956, the USILA awarded him All-America first team honors and the Jack Turnbull Award
as the nation's best attackman. Howard was invited to participate in the 1956 North/South Senior All-Star Game, and scored five goals and earned six assists on the way to a South squad win. Howard set the record for career assists with 173, which stood until broken by Tim Nelson
of Syracuse
in 1985.
After college, Howard served as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy
. He attained the rank of lieutenant
.
as the freshman team coach in 1960. In 1962, he was promoted to assistant coach under co-head coaches Jack Faber
and Al Heagy
. In 1966, Howard took over as the head coach himself. In 1967, Howard guided Maryland to an 8–1 record, which was enough to secure a share of the USILA national championship alongside Navy
and Johns Hopkins. An upset of heavy favorites Johns Hopkins, 9–4, was the deciding factor in Maryland's title stake. The following season in 1968, Maryland defeated the dominant team of the period, Navy, 5–3, which was the Terrapins' first victory against the Midshipmen in eight years. That year also saw one of only four ties in Maryland lacrosse history, a 6–6 stalemate with Princeton
.
Rennie Smith, a Maryland assistant coach and Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee, said, "Hezzy was a bit of a free spirit, but he was very likeable. He was a handsome guy. We used to like to go to his office because the girls were always coming in and cooing, 'Hi, Hezzy.'" Bill Sbarra, who played as a defenseman under Howard, said, "He was the first coach I ever saw who inverted his attackmen and midfielders ... The day we upset Hopkins, we knew everything Hopkins was going to do. Hezzy's scouting report was brilliant."
While coaching at Maryland, Howard also played lacrosse at the club level. He played for the Washington Lacrosse Club from 1963 to 1967, including in the Maryland Box Lacrosse League in 1965 and 1966. He led the league in scoring in 1965.
in 1962 and Ph.D in 1967 from the University of Maryland. Howard began teaching as an English instructor from 1964 to 1967, while working towards his doctorate. He became an assistant professor in 1967, an associate professor in 1971, and a full professor in 1987. He served as associate chairman of the English department from 1969 to 1972 and 1977 to 1979, and then acting chairman from 1979 to 1980. From 1987 to 1990, he was the director of graduate studies. Howard authored numerous books, essays, and literature reviews, including several on English poet William Blake
. Howard wrote Infernal Poetics: Poetic Structures in Blake's Lambeth Prophecies and Blake's Milton: A Study in the Selfhood.
, where his wife taught at DePauw University
. He attempted to foster the sport at the college, but failed. Howard explained:
Howard died of pneumonia
on July 19, 2007 at the age of 72 at Saint Vincent Hospice in Indianapolis
. He was inducted into National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1978, the Washington College Hall of Fame in 1983, and the St. Mary's High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.
Field lacrosse
Field lacrosse, sometimes referred to as the "fastest sport on two feet," is a full contact outdoor men's sport played with ten players on each team. The sport originated among Native Americans, and the modern rules of field lacrosse were initially codified by Canadian William George Beers in 1867....
player and coach. He coached the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
lacrosse team from 1966 to 1969 and amassed a 32–7–1 record. He attended Washington College
Washington College
Washington College is a private, independent liberal arts college located on a campus in Chestertown, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782...
, where in 1956 he received the Jack Turnbull Award
Jack Turnbull Award
The "Lt. Col. J. I. Turnbull Award" — also known as the Jack Turnbull Award — is an award given to the United States' top collegiate attackman in lacrosse, named after National Lacrosse Hall of Fame alumnus Jack Turnbull. The award is given to a player in Division I, Division II, and Division...
as the nation's best attackman. Howard was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1978. At the University of Maryland, Howard also taught as an English professor and held various posts in the school's English department including acting chairman from 1979 to 1980.
Early life and college career
A native of Annapolis, MarylandAnnapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
born on December 12, 1934, Howard attended St. Mary's High School starting in 1948, where he played lacrosse on the school's first team. He graduated in 1952.
Howard then went on to Washington College
Washington College
Washington College is a private, independent liberal arts college located on a campus in Chestertown, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782...
in 1953, where he played soccer, and lacrosse as an attackman and face-off man. He was a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa
Omicron Delta Kappa
Omicron Delta Kappa, or ΟΔΚ, also known as The Circle, or more commonly ODK, is a national leadership honor society. It was founded December 3, 1914, at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, by 15 student and faculty leaders. Chapters, known as Circles, are located on over 300...
honor society. In 1954, Howard led the nation in assists and helped the Shoremen capture the Laurie Cox Division championship. The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association is an association of institutions with varsity college lacrosse programs in all three NCAA divisions, founded in 1885.-Awards:...
named Howard an honorable mention All-American
USILA All-American Team
The USILA All-American Team is an honor given annually to the best American men's college lacrosse players at their respective positions by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. The term All-American is derived from the same practice in American college football, in which the...
. The following the season, he repeated as the nation's assist leader and the USILA named him to its third team. In 1956, the USILA awarded him All-America first team honors and the Jack Turnbull Award
Jack Turnbull Award
The "Lt. Col. J. I. Turnbull Award" — also known as the Jack Turnbull Award — is an award given to the United States' top collegiate attackman in lacrosse, named after National Lacrosse Hall of Fame alumnus Jack Turnbull. The award is given to a player in Division I, Division II, and Division...
as the nation's best attackman. Howard was invited to participate in the 1956 North/South Senior All-Star Game, and scored five goals and earned six assists on the way to a South squad win. Howard set the record for career assists with 173, which stood until broken by Tim Nelson
Tim Nelson (lacrosse)
Tim Nelson was a three-time first-team All-American NCAA lacrosse player at Syracuse University from 1983 to 1985. He teamed with Brad Kotz to lead the Orange to the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship in 1983, as well as two additional appearances in the finals in 1984 and 1985...
of Syracuse
Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse
The Syracuse Orange men's lacrosse team represents Syracuse University in NCAA Division I men's college lacrosse. The Orange have won 10 NCAA championship titles, and currently competes as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference men's lacrosse conference...
in 1985.
After college, Howard served as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. He attained the rank of lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
.
Coaching career
Howard began his coaching career at the University of MarylandUniversity of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
as the freshman team coach in 1960. In 1962, he was promoted to assistant coach under co-head coaches Jack Faber
Jack Faber
John Edgar Faber, Jr. was an American microbiologist and college football and lacrosse coach at the University of Maryland. Faber served as the Maryland lacrosse coach from 1928 to 1963, during which time he compiled a 249–57 record and secured numerous national and conference championships...
and Al Heagy
Al Heagy
Albert B. Heagy was an American chemist, educator, politician, and college lacrosse player and coach. Alongside, Jack Faber, he was the co-head coach of the University of Maryland lacrosse team from 1931 to 1963, and the head coach from 1964 to 1965, and amassed a combined record of...
. In 1966, Howard took over as the head coach himself. In 1967, Howard guided Maryland to an 8–1 record, which was enough to secure a share of the USILA national championship alongside Navy
Navy Midshipmen men's lacrosse
The Navy Midshipmen men's lacrosse team represents the United States Naval Academy in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's lacrosse. Navy currently competes as a member of the Patriot League and play their home games at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland...
and Johns Hopkins. An upset of heavy favorites Johns Hopkins, 9–4, was the deciding factor in Maryland's title stake. The following season in 1968, Maryland defeated the dominant team of the period, Navy, 5–3, which was the Terrapins' first victory against the Midshipmen in eight years. That year also saw one of only four ties in Maryland lacrosse history, a 6–6 stalemate with Princeton
Princeton Tigers men's lacrosse
The Princeton Tigers men's lacrosse team represents Princeton University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's lacrosse...
.
Rennie Smith, a Maryland assistant coach and Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee, said, "Hezzy was a bit of a free spirit, but he was very likeable. He was a handsome guy. We used to like to go to his office because the girls were always coming in and cooing, 'Hi, Hezzy.'" Bill Sbarra, who played as a defenseman under Howard, said, "He was the first coach I ever saw who inverted his attackmen and midfielders ... The day we upset Hopkins, we knew everything Hopkins was going to do. Hezzy's scouting report was brilliant."
While coaching at Maryland, Howard also played lacrosse at the club level. He played for the Washington Lacrosse Club from 1963 to 1967, including in the Maryland Box Lacrosse League in 1965 and 1966. He led the league in scoring in 1965.
Academic career
While at Maryland, Howard also taught in the English department. He earned his master's degreeMaster's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in 1962 and Ph.D in 1967 from the University of Maryland. Howard began teaching as an English instructor from 1964 to 1967, while working towards his doctorate. He became an assistant professor in 1967, an associate professor in 1971, and a full professor in 1987. He served as associate chairman of the English department from 1969 to 1972 and 1977 to 1979, and then acting chairman from 1979 to 1980. From 1987 to 1990, he was the director of graduate studies. Howard authored numerous books, essays, and literature reviews, including several on English poet William Blake
William Blake
William Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker. Largely unrecognised during his lifetime, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of both the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age...
. Howard wrote Infernal Poetics: Poetic Structures in Blake's Lambeth Prophecies and Blake's Milton: A Study in the Selfhood.
Later life
In 2000, Howard retired to Greencastle, IndianaGreencastle, Indiana
Greencastle is a city in Greencastle Township, Putnam County, Indiana, United States, and the county seat of Putnam County. It was founded in 1821 by Scots-Irish American Ephraim Dukes on a land grant. He named the settlement for his hometown of Greencastle, Pennsylvania...
, where his wife taught at DePauw University
DePauw University
DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, USA, is a private, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the Great Lakes Colleges Association...
. He attempted to foster the sport at the college, but failed. Howard explained:
"I tried to start lacrosse at DePauw. We held a few practices in the fall. The kids had a problem—they would not believe you could catch and throw a lacrosse ball while you were running. They thought you had to be standing still ... After Christmas, nobody came back. Either I'm a lousy teacher or kids in Indiana just didn't like lacrosse."
Howard died of pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
on July 19, 2007 at the age of 72 at Saint Vincent Hospice in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. He was inducted into National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1978, the Washington College Hall of Fame in 1983, and the St. Mary's High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.
Publications
- Blake's Milton: A Study in the Selfhood (1976)
- Infernal Poetics: Poetic Structures in Blake's Lambeth Prophecies (1984)