Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame
Charles "Babe" Howell - Football and Baseball - (1950-53)
A Western Carolina football and baseball standout in the early 1950's who went on to become the winningest high school football coach in North Carolina history. Graduated from WCU in 1954 after four seasons in both football in baseball. Named outstanding player as a tackle for the 1951 football team and starting pitcher for three baseball seasons. After nine seasons as head coach in Georgia, he returned to coach Sylva-Webster High (now Smoky Mountain HS) for the next 25 years to lead the school to five state football championships and two state baseball championship and completed his coaching career at Avery High. Finished football coaching career with state record 301 wins and also led baseball teams with 618 wins. Awarded numerous coaching honors and chosen to serve on several state and national boards in a distinguished career that spanned five decades.
