Richard E. Howell (Swimming, Water Polo, 1924-26)
During the 1924 season, when the Wildcats captured the Big Ten championship, Howell took first in the 100- and 220-yard freestyle events. He was named to the All-Big Ten Conference first team in the 40-, 100-, and 220-yard freestyle events, in addition to the 160-yard relay squad. Howell later went on to take first place in the 400- and 1,500-meter freestyle events at the 1924 NCAA championship.
Northwestern won the team titles again at the 1925 Big Ten Conference and NCAA championships, with Howell registering record times in the 220- and 440-yard freestyle events at the conference meet in the 220-yard freestyle at the national meet.
At the National AAU tryout for the 1924 United States Olympic team, Howell placed second to Johnny Weismuller to win a place on the team, along with three other NU swimmers. Howell competed for the U.S. squad in Paris and captured a gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle relay.
Howell also was a member of three intercollegiate championship water polo teams, the wrestling squad, and the Sigma Nu fraternity at Northwestern, and he was undefeated in 20 matches as a boxer for the Northwestern and Chicago Athletic Associations.
A resident of Wilmette, Ill., Howell had an active career in newspaper advertising sales. He died in 1967.
