Another milestone has been made for coach Mike Howard: the head coach of both the Oswego State wrestling and golf team will be inducted into the Upstate New York chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in September. 

Mike Howard will be inducted for his lifetime service to wrestling. He has been the coach of Oswego’s wrestling team for almost 35 years. 

During his time as coach, his teams have made 27 NCAA championship appearances,  has had 18 NCAA Div.III All-Americans, 21 individual conference champions, 96 New York State Collegiate Championship place winners and five Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference Championships Most Outstanding Wrestlers. 

“Being able to have a career and do something I am extremely passionate about has been very rewarding,” Mike Howard said. 

Prior to his coaching career, Howard wrestled at the State University of New York at Buffalo from 1981-1983 and for the Lakers from 1984-1986, serving as a two-time captain. Howard has made significant impacts in his career both as a player and coach for Oswego wrestling and athletics, following the footsteps of his father, Jim Howard. 

“This is a big accomplishment not only for myself, but for my family,” Howard said. 

His father Jim coached for the Lakers for 26 years, coaching 28 NCAA All-American wrestlers and three national champions. Jim Howard was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1997 for his lifetime service to wrestling. 

“That’s special, right? To follow in your dad’s footsteps and be inducted into the hall of fame he’s already a member of is very rewarding,” Mike Howard said. 

Even before Howard stepped foot on the Lakers mat himself to compete, he has many fond memories of Oswego wrestling while his father was coach. Howard said he idolized many of the wrestlers his father coached, now having professional relationships with many of them, as they continue to show their support. 

“Having that relationship with them when I was younger and now having a professional relationship with them has been very motivating,” Mike Howard said. 

The decades of support for this team from former wrestlers gives Howard the courage to continue doing his job with pride, he said. 

“I want to carry on the legacy of the program,” Howard said. 

Although Howard and his father have made an everlasting impact, wrestling is not the only Oswego sport the Howards have impacted. 

His two children, Brittany Howard and Mike Howard Jr, are currently the head coach and assistant coach for the women’s lacrosse team here at Oswego. 

“This is definitely a unique situation,” Mike Howard Sr. said. “The legacy our family has here at Oswego is special.” 

Brittany Howard has been the head coach of the women’s lacrosse team since 2016. During her time with the Lakers, she has led her teams to five SUNYAC championship appearances. 

Her brother and assistant coach Mike Howard Jr. joined the coaching staff in 2021. 

Mike Jr., like his father and grandfather, also wrestled for the Lakers. He received  awards such as SUNY Oswego Athletic Award of Excellence, SUNYAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll and Academic All-American honors. 

According to Mike Sr., sports have been a big part of their family for many years. He believes that athletics can open many doors and possibilities for people. 

“The life lessons you learn from participating in sporting events and athletics carries over into the classroom and carries over into your daily life,” Mike Sr. said. 

The impact Mike Howard Sr. and the rest of his family has had on the Oswego community will live on both on our athletic fields and off. 

“We are fortunate to be in this position and impact people’s lives,” Mike Sr. said. 

Photo by: Oswego Athletics