The Road Less Traveled - Tom Howland from Normal West

Ball State signee, Tom Howland doesn't have the typical
basketball dreams as other hoop stars.

By Frank Rusnak
Some kids grow up idolizing basketball superstars and envisioning themselves playing professionally when they get older. But Normal West's Tom Howland isn't like everyone else.

"I'd like to play in Europe or somewhere after college first though. I figure that I can make some money playing ball then I won't have to worry about not making a lot because I'm a teacher."

Tom Howland
Normal West H.S.

A 6'11" center for the Wildcats, Howland is averaging 12.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 4.3 blocks for an 18-8 team. With a 12-2 record in conference, Normal West is this year's Co-Big 12 champions.

Despite the height and developing skills, Howland has different plans for after college--where he accepted a basketball scholarship to Ball State.

"I'm planning on being a teacher when I graduate from college," said Howland, a three-year varsity player. "I'd like to play in Europe or somewhere after college first though. I figure that I can make some money playing ball then I won't have to worry about not making a lot because I'm a teacher."

Using basketball, not letting it use you. What a notion for this future History teacher.

"I've just always liked history," continued Howland. "It was my sophomore year, I just started thinking about what I wanted to do with my life and I decided that I wanted to make a difference in the world, and it's just something I have to try out. I've had a lot of history teachers that I've really looked up to. Mr. (Chris) Hawkins (head baseball coach) and Mr. Mintus (asst. basketball coach), they have made a difference in my life because they got me involved and made it fun."

Always tall for his age (father is 6'5" and mom is 6'0"), Howland has yet to grow into his body.

"I've always been a head taller than everybody in my class, but I never really had grown into my body yet," he said.

Still getting accustomed to his long and lanky frame, that, however, is not the only obstacle that Howland has to overcome to achieve success on the hardwood.

Howland is about as familiar with injuries as peanut butter is with jelly. He has had his left knee scoped twice to clean out the knee cap because the knee cap is subluxing. And he had his right knee scoped this summer because he came down wrong on someone under the basket.

"I spend more time working back to where I was than where I want to go," said Howland. "I think if I'm able to stay healthy...I will be able to play with anybody."

Also splitting his time between basketball and baseball has been taxing. In Randy Johnson-esk form, Howland takes the mound as a pitcher, throwing an 85-mile per hour fastball.

"Some guys would say, 'I'm 6'11", I'm going to spend this off season working on basketball to be a better player,' but because of his friends he goes and plays baseball," said Darryl Royster, Howland's AAU coach for the RBS All-Stars. "We would go to tournaments and I'd say, 'Where's Tom Howland?,' and he'd be at a baseball tournament. He's never been healthy in four years and he's always playing baseball. He never concentrated on basketball for a full year. Yeah, his better days are ahead of him."

Labeled as a number seven seed and opening against Pontiac in the first round of the playoffs, Normal West looks to make some noise in the Pekin Sectional. However, concentration on hoops will have to wait, as Howland is going to play baseball after the basketball season and is going to try to walk-on in college.

"It's just something that I really like to do, it gives me a break from the basketball routine, and I need that every once in a while," said Howland. "Although I probably wont end up playing in college, because I don't really think I'm that good, but somehow people got the impression that I am. But there were a lot of people looking at me because I'm so tall and throw hard."

While Royster questioned his will and desire to play basketball in his earlier days of high school, he says that as the summer went on his seriousness became more evident.

"When we had to carry him off the court and put him on the training table he asked me if he could go back in," said Royster, referring to AAU Nationals when Howland hurt himself and had to later have surgery. "That was a big improvement over three years, that Tom wanted to play and not his parents. The only down side I see now with Tom is this injury bug."

A terrific shot blocker and mobile for his size while able to get up and down the floor good, it is his activity on the court that caught the attention of Division I's.

"Ball State had a stat on him at nationals that he either deflected a pass, stole the ball or touched it 23 times in one game," said Royster, "and that's what really sold them on him because he's so active."

Staying active in the classroom, as well, Howland is an honor student while preparing for his future after basketball.