A three sport star at Muskegon Heights, Frank Howell led the Tigers to a third consecutive 9-0-0 gridiron record as well as a third consecutive mythical state championship in 1947. A member of the Associated Press All-State squad in 1947 and 1948, he entered the University of Michigan following graduation.
Unfortunately, injuries plagued Howell at U of M. His hard luck on the gridiron removed him from starting positions in 1950 and 1951. Howell’s senior year at Michigan proved more fruitful. Averaging 4.8 yards per carry, the Wolverine back scored two touchdowns on the year, including the lone touchdown in a 27-7 loss to conference rival, Ohio State. A Michigan victory in the contest would have meant a trip to the Rose Bowl for the Wolverines.
Playing center field with the Michigan baseball team, Howell lettered in his three years with the varsity. The 1952 Wolverines placed second in the conference with a 6-5 extra inning victory over Wisconsin in the season finale. Howell’s three home runs in conference play earned him a share of the Big Ten home run crown. Michigan posted a 10-3 conference mark and ended the 1953 baseball season as Big Ten co-champions with Illinois. Howell finished conference play as co-leader in triples and runs batted in. Invited to compete in post-season play, the Wolverines won the school’s first NCAA baseball championship. Howell performed well in post-season play against Stanford, as well as scoring three runs in the championship game against the University of Texas.
Although Howell’s baseball skills received some interest from the Boston Braves, he opted to enroll in the School of Dentistry at Michigan. After earning his degree in 1957, he returned to Muskegon Heights and opened an office. He remained active in local baseball, playing nine seasons in the City League. He also became active in politics, earning a seat on the Muskegon Heights City Council in the spring of 1958.