Columbia Basin College

John Howard, former CBC coach, was elected into the NWAACC Hall of Fame in 1997 and the NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1980 after an illustrious 38-year coaching career at CBC.

When Howard came to CBC in 1964, he revived a wrestling program that became a powerhouse on the west coast. It took him three years to revitalize the program, but in his fourth year as head coach, CBC won 53 straight dual meets, a winning streak that lasted four years.

In 1971, he guided CBC to its first championship in the Washington Athletic Association of Community Colleges. During his time at the College, Howard coached eight wrestlers to individual championships, including two national champions, Darrell Keller and Gil Daminani.

Howard left an incredible sports legacy when he retired from CBC in 2002. Besides being known for reviving the wrestling program, he also coached football, golf, and tennis while teaching in the Physical Education department. The CBC golf program claimed 10 NWAACC Championships under Coach Howard, and he was part of the coaching staff that placed 16 players in the National Football League.