TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
a pivotal role in the Aggies transitioning from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, a league they were a mem- ber of since 1924, to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The move would eventually lead to the Aggies becoming a Division I program. Howell made the transition seamless, going 6-4-1 overall and 3-2-1 in the MEAC the first year before going 8-2 overall and 4-2 the second year. In 1975, Howell was responsible for leading the Aggies to the first of their eight MEAC championships as the Aggies finished 8-3 overall and 5-1 in the conference. During his coaching career at N.C. A&T, Howell went 55-34-4, had six winning seasons and three 8-win seasons. He is tied for second with Bert Piggot on the Aggies all-time wins list. Howell’s coaching career at N.C. A&T concluded with him having coached greats such as defensive backs Mel Phillips, Morris McKie, Willie Pearson and Thomas Warren, defensive line- men William Wideman and Dwaine Board, guard Mel Holmes, linebacker Ralph Coleman, offensive tackle Lonnie Leonard, wide receiver Willie Wright, quarterback Ellsworth Turner, running back George Ragsdale and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Elvin Bethea. In 2003, Howell received national recog- nition when he was chosen by Bethea to be his presenter at the Hall of Fame ceremony in Canton, Ohio. Hornsby was the 16th college coach to present a former player. He was Bethea’s defensive line coach before taking over as head coach. Of Howell, Bethea said: “Coach Howell was the guy that got me ready for where I am. From day one, when he was a defensive line coach at A&T, he was the guy that instilled in me all the things it takes to be a college athlete and a determined athlete.” While coaching at N.C. A & T he held a part-time summer positions on the training staff with the Dallas Cowboys where he was known to “save ankles with his speed wrap”. After retiring from N.C. A&T, he went to the University of Georgia (UGA), first as an Assistant
Football Coach and later became an ath- letic administrator where he developed a drug education program with a testing component. After leaving the University of Georgia, he served as Interim Athletic Director at Savannah State University followed by Interim Athletic Director at N.C. A&T. He later served as Director of Football Operations at Shaw Uni- versity. He moved to Raleigh in 1996 and became a member of St. Paul AME Church at that time. As long as he was able, he was an active member with the Sons of Allen. He has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his lifetime. He was a life member of Kappa Al- pha Psi Fraternity and member of the Durham (NC) Chapter, Member of the N. C. A & T University Football Hall of Fame. He founded and established the Hornsby Howell Endowed Scholarship Foundation at N.C. A & T State Uni- versity. Because of his commitment to instilling the value of community service in UGA student athletes, the Hornsby Howell Community Service Award was established. This award is given annually to a UGA student athlete. He also was member of the Durham Sports Club. A 1950 graduate of N. C. A&T, Howell had approximately 30 years of college coaching experience at the Division I, Division 1-AA and Division II levels. He spent more than 40 years working in a collegiate athletics department as a trainer, assistant coach, head coach, athletics director or an assistant athletics director. Howell, who also received his Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees from N.C. A&T in 1958, worked at the university for more 20 than years. Howell also served as an administrative assistant to the athletics director at the University of Georgia (1982-96) and interim athletics director at Savannah State (1996-98). He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 25 years, Claudette Barr Howell; three children from his marriage to Anne Thomas Howell who predeceased him – Yoleeta Howell of Greensboro, NC,
Ruby Howell Thomas Howell Thomas of Jamestown, NC and Hornsby Howell, Jr. (Roussalind) of Athens, GA; one stepson, Rodney Bowen (Vanessa) of Atlanta, GA, Three grandchildren, Justin Williams, Claudia and Chloe Bowens.
Collis H. Ivery, Jr. 1933–2019 U.S. Air Force
Collis H. Ivery, Jr. entered the
Chapter Invisible on February 15, 2019, at the age of 85. Collis Herman Ivery, Jr. was born in Tuscaloosa, AL where he attended
20 th Street Elementary School, Central Elementary School, and Industrial High School. He attended Alabama State University where he earned a degree in Early Childhood Education in 1953. In 1983, he received the Masters of Educa- tion from Alabama State University. Ivery joined the United States Air Force (U.S.A.F.) upon college graduation where his primary area was military intelligence. During his Air Force career, he was stationed at bases located in: Ne- braska, Massachusetts, Japan, Germany, Vietnam, Texas, and Louisiana. Ivery graduated from the Senior Non-Com- missioned Officers (NCO) Academy and the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Academy. While in the Air Force, Mr. Ivery earned the: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Six Oak Leaf Clusters. He served in the Vietnam War, and was awarded the: Vietnam Service Medal with 7 stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. In 1981, he retired with an Honorable Discharge, at the rank of Chief Master
Publishing achievement for 105 years
THE JOURNAL SPRING ISSUE | 93
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker