During the years that Howard Plummer attended Washington College, the football schedule included many of the top-rated colleges in the Maryland, District of Columbia and Pennsylvania area. Howard started his freshman year at the end position, both on offense and defense. He was a versatile athlete, possessing quick reflexes and fast running ability. During his last three years of varsity football, he was used primarily as the fullback on offense and also as a defensive back. Due to injury to the starting quarterback, he played one of his most memorable games as quarterback against the Quantico Marines. Because of his physical and mental toughness, he seldom missed a game. He was elected captain his senior year.
Howard was a member of the varsity basketball squad during his sophomore year. During the spring he participated in varsity baseball his first two years in college and when baseball was dropped as a varsity sport, he moved over to varsity lacrosse. He lettered all four years that he participated in these activities. In baseball he either started in left or right field and Coach Tom Kibler used him in the strength of the batting order. His outstanding game was against Swarthmore during his sophomore year when he hit two home runs. In lacrosse, he was used in the “Out Home” position. Even though he had never played lacrosse before, his football experience served him well in making the transition.
Howard was very active in other areas of college life, being a member of the “W” Club, the Blue Key and Alpha Kappa Fraternities as well as the Adelphia Literary Society.
Professionally, he served 37 years in the field of education, 12 years as a teacher of Civics and Physical Education and 25 years as the Principal of Chichester High School. He was a member and served as president of the Southern DelVal School Authority, has been President of the Parkside Retired Men’s Group and President of the Pennsylvania Retired School Employees. In 1981 he was inducted into the Delaware County Old Timers Hall of Fame.
Washington College considers it an honor to induct postyhumously Howard K. Plummer into its Athletic Hall of Fame on this 5th day of October, 1996.
