Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Scobey*, Howell
Howell Scobey*
- Induction:
- 1997
- Class:
- 1936
Howell Scobey is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight wrestlers in Lehigh history. Scobey earned a national championship in 1936, and at the time was only the third Engineer wrestler to earn such distinction. As of 2017, he was still one of only two heavyweights to win a national title. Highlighting his national title were pins of a pair of two-time All-Americans in 58 seconds and 2:18. A two-time All-American, Scobey finished second at Nationals in 1935, also at heavyweight. He became Lehigh first two-time All-American.
On the Eastern front, Scobey was even more dominating. He took home EIWA titles in 1935 and 1936, pinning every opponent he faced. He also was the first Lehigh recipient of the EIWA Outstanding Wrestler Award in 1936. Scobey compiled an overall record of 34-7 with four of those defeats coming in national competition. Of his 34 wins, 28 were by fall, yielding a career fall percentage and Lehigh record of .683 (28 falls in 41 bouts). Making this record even more impressive was the average time of fall was 3:40.
“He was perhaps Lehigh’s best heavyweight through that time,” current Hall of Famer Ben Bishop said. “Although he was at heavyweight, Howell wrestled like a middleweight. He did it all.”
Scobey’s career did not end in college. Upon graduation he competed in Berlin, Germany as a member of the United States Wrestling Team. And wrestling wasn't the only sport he excelled in. Howell was an excellent football player as well. He started at tackle for three years and was named the team captain 1935. Blessed with remarkable agility and natural ability, Scobey was named as one of seven lineman to the All-Time Lehigh Team for the football era of 1884-1949 in the “Legends of Lehigh-Lafayette” football publication. He also earned All-East honors his senior season.
On the Eastern front, Scobey was even more dominating. He took home EIWA titles in 1935 and 1936, pinning every opponent he faced. He also was the first Lehigh recipient of the EIWA Outstanding Wrestler Award in 1936. Scobey compiled an overall record of 34-7 with four of those defeats coming in national competition. Of his 34 wins, 28 were by fall, yielding a career fall percentage and Lehigh record of .683 (28 falls in 41 bouts). Making this record even more impressive was the average time of fall was 3:40.
“He was perhaps Lehigh’s best heavyweight through that time,” current Hall of Famer Ben Bishop said. “Although he was at heavyweight, Howell wrestled like a middleweight. He did it all.”
Scobey’s career did not end in college. Upon graduation he competed in Berlin, Germany as a member of the United States Wrestling Team. And wrestling wasn't the only sport he excelled in. Howell was an excellent football player as well. He started at tackle for three years and was named the team captain 1935. Blessed with remarkable agility and natural ability, Scobey was named as one of seven lineman to the All-Time Lehigh Team for the football era of 1884-1949 in the “Legends of Lehigh-Lafayette” football publication. He also earned All-East honors his senior season.
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