Howard Raines
Inducted in 1997

Snohomish High School

Howard Raines graduated from Snohomish High School in 1949 and would return ten years later to start the wrestling program at his alma mater. While a student at Snohomish, Howard was an All-State football and basketball player for the Panthers. Howard attended Western Washington University.

Following graduation from college, Howard took a teaching position in the Everett School District. The principal at Snohomish called one day and offered Howard a Physical Education teaching position, with one catch; he would have to coach wrestling – a new sport at Snohomish. While he knew nothing at the time about the sport, he leaned quickly. One of his first groups of wrestlers included seventeen athletes who attended a wrestling camp near Medical Lake in Eastern Washington. While at these camps, Howard and his athletes focused on learning new techniques and conditioning. These wrestlers helped forge the foundation of a strong program at Snohomish.

Howard taught Physical Education, Health and Drivers Education classes at Snohomish High School. As the Panther’s wrestling coach, Howard’s teams captured third place in state in 1970. He had one wrestler earn a state championship.

Though he retired from teaching in 1983, Howard remained active in the Panther wrestling program. He earned Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 1992 and 1993. In 1987 he received the Brian Katz award.

After retirement Howard started his own lawn care business and regularly hired high school boys to work for him. Especially wrestlers. Howard and his wife Darlene have three children.

Howard passed away on September 4, 2004.

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