HANK WICKLEY
SPORTS WRITER
After 17 years of service to the Scots, Tracy Howd has left the Alma community. During her time on campus, she was known as a clerk, HR specialist, and athletic department secretary; but most of all, she was known as a friend to many students on campus.
Howd’s time at Alma began in 2002 when she was hired as an Accounts Payable Clerk, and then moved to being a HR clerk until 2009 when she took the job of athletic secretary.
She helped out with scheduling, organization, and overall keeping things working smoothly in the athletic department.
“Throughout my time at Alma, it was always the people that made the job fun and rewarding,” said Howd.
“When I say people, that includes coaches, students, student-athletes, and the staff across campus.”
As someone who was not previously involved in athletics, Howd quickly fell in love with her new role on campus.
“When I moved to Athletics in 2009, I never imagined that I would love working in that department as much as I did,” said Howd.
While Howd not only held down the fort in the athletic department offices, she was able to participate in a lot of fun interactions with different teams.
“One of my favorite things that I got to do while I was at Alma was traveling with the Cheer team to their annual camp at University of Louisville,” said Howd.
“It was a time when I got to see just what these student-athletes do and how quickly they learn very complicated routines.”
“Another favorite was traveling to the men’s soccer MIAA championship game at Kalamazoo College with Lori Hick. She is always a riot to be with and she loves the students at Alma,” said Howd.
Howd also said the one thing she will not miss will be working the freezing cold football games, even though—according to athletic director Stephen Rackley— she was the best at it.
“I have not gone far away, so I hope to be at athletic events throughout the year,” said Howd.
The impact of her departure has affected several coaches and faculty members throughout campus, and she will certainly be missed.
“She was just so good with people,” said Rackley. “She had such great knowledge about the campus and department.”
The memories and friendships that Howd made with everyone around her will be her legacy at Alma.
“My best memory of Tracy is my first memory really,” said Michael Kinney, head men’s lacrosse coach.
“She took me into Art Smith and showed me how nice and how big it was. She turned to me, looked me dead in the eyes and said, ‘If I ever catch you guys with lacrosse sticks and balls in here, I’ll kick your ….’” said Kinney. “
She knew how the department worked, how to work with people, how to get things done, who to ask for a favor, and how to ask the right way,” said Kinney.
“She is a great person and her departure is a huge blow to the department, and to Alma College. But I’m so happy for her,” said Kinney.
From everyone involved in athletics at Alma, Tracy Howd’s absence will be noticeable and her smiling face behind the desk in the athletic offices will be missed.
