Mary Howard has been a fixture in the UF sports information-turned-communications department since 1986, but also on the front lines of administrative-decision making on all facets of the UAA.
Women's History Month: Her Mission is the Gators
Wednesday, March 17, 2021 | General, Gymnastics, Soccer, Chris Harry
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By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Bridget Sloan, one of the most decorated athletes in University of Florida history, was three summers removed from graduating when she was invited back to take a turn as an honorary "Ms. Two Bits" before a 2018 football game at the "Swamp." Sloan, decked out in the traditional George Edmondson yellow shirt and orange-and-blue tie, was on the field and mere minutes away from her routine when she was approached by a familiar face.
"If I get a leotard down here in the next two minutes, will you wear it?" Mary Howard asked the 31-time All American.
Sloan had worked four years alongside Howard, the University Athletic Association's veteran and invaluable communication department lifer, during their time together with the UF gymnastics team, a partnership that shared three consecutive NCAA titles. Sloan knew Howard to be strikingly efficient, but this one took her aback.
"Mary, there's no way you can get me a leotard here in two minutes," Sloan shot back.
Next scene: Sloan finished her "Two Bits" bit — complete with cartwheel, backflip and rousing applause — by tearing off her yellow oxford shirt to expose, yes, an orange-and-blue leotard.
Chalk it up to just another day in the life of a person with an unbridled, uncompromising commitment to the Florida brand that's been well over three decades in the making. Howard left her Iowa farm-girl roots for an entry-level post in the UAA's sports information department in 1986 and has been unwavering in her devotion and pursuit to making the Gators look good ever since.
"I've always seen the role as doing whatever it takes to see the Gators be successful," said Howard, now 58, and with the title of senior associate athletics director for communication. "To do so requires doing a lot of different things and wearing a lot of different hats."
March is Women's History Month and Howard is one of a handful of talented UAA women whose jobs may exist beneath the public's radar but who are no less passionate about and dedicated to making the organization's mission statement — "A championship experience with integrity" — a reality for the student-athletes, coaches and fans. Her 35 years of service make Howard one of the longest-tenured administrators in the UAA.
"I think the one word that would best describe Mary Howard is 'selfless.' And by that, I mean she is going to do whatever is asked with a commitment to the organization being her No. 1 priority," UF athletic director emeritus Jeremy Foley said. "Mary is a soldier, and I use that term with the utmost respect. With her, it's always going to be about putting the Gators first. One of the keys to our success, in my opinion, is having people like Mary in the fox hole every single day."
Added Lynda Tealer, executive associate athletics director for administration and senior women's administrator: "When someone comes to work here, it doesn't take them long to realize Mary Howard is a person they need to know."
And will know.
Mary Howard (middle) coordinates with gymnastics coach Jenny Rowland(left) and All American Bridget Sloan (right) during a meet in 2016.
Take Jenny Rowland. In the spring of 2015, Rowland had just finished a fifth season as assistant gymnastics coach at Auburn when she interviewed for the top UF post after Rhonda Faehn, who had just won a third straight NCAA title, stepped down. After the interview, Howard ushered Rowland to a room where a photographer was set up to take a picture of her in UF attire. Rowland had not accepted the job, nor even spoke to her current employers back at Auburn about her situation.
"I thought she was a crazy lady," Rowland said.
Yeah, like a fox.
Howard clearly had the pulse of the situation and was confident Rowland not only would take the job, but be very good at it. Howard had pitched as much during meetings among the coaching-search committee. The photo op was a preemptive, pro-active strike the likes of which Howard excels. Rowland, of course, took the job and Howard went right to work grooming her new coach for all the duties she didn't have to do as an assistant.
"I'm not comfortable doing media at all, but she put me at ease," Rowland said. "She put one hand on each shoulder, directed me to where I needed to go, what I needed to do and told me to just put my Jenny flair into it."
So, how'd that work out? The UF gymnastics team has won 18 consecutive dual meets, three consecutive regular-season league titles, and is ranked No. 1 heading into the SEC Championships this weekend, with NCAA rounds in the two weeks to follow. Howard, by the way, will go there and doubles as SID and liaison to the meet officials.
"You can tell she loves what she does," Rowland said.
Always has.
Growing up in Iowa City, Iowa, Howard was knee-deep in Hawkeye State traditions, from being crowned county pork queen to being a serviceable forward on her 6-on-6 girls basketball teams. The West Branch Bearettes didn't the reach the state basketball championship site in Des Moines that was played in front of sold-out crowds in the "Big Barn," so that was one Iowa tradition she missed out on. From there, it was off to Iowa State and degrees in public relations and marketing. She graduated college, got married and was hired as UF's assistant women's sports information director all in a two-week span.
When she arrived at Florida, Howard was greeted with the news that her new boss had given two-week's notice and was leaving. Howard, in addition to her individual sports responsibilities, took on the head women's post on an interim basis, but it became permanent almost immediately.
A couple months later, her introduction to Gators sports began with a Florida-Miami football game that opened the '86 season at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
"I knew that day this was a different place," Howard said. "It was ridiculous. Back home, the Iowa-Iowa State football game was a big game. Here, every game was like that, with the intensity and the fans — and we were on probation at the time."
Away Howard and the Gators went. Together.
Her golf and track-and-field day-to-day duties eventually became gymnastics and soccer (new in 1994) duties, both of which Howard still does in 2021. Along the way, Howard has been a fixture on virtually every coaches search committee, as well as policy and crisis management meetings the likes of which her input has been hailed as indispensable at times.
"She's never going to try and dominant a conversation," Tealer said. "What she is going to do, though, is say something very important. Something that might make you go, 'Whoa,' and pivot in a different direction."
UF soccer star Ashlee Elliott (left) gets a briefing from Mary Howardduring her All-SEC 2010 season.
Becky Burleigh was 26 when she was named UF's first (and still only) soccer coach in 1994, having won a pair of NAIA titles at Berry College. Burleigh and Howard hit it off instantly and, in fact, have doubled as roommates on the road for a quarter-century. During that time, Burleigh has seen the professionalism, efficiency and attention to detail displayed by her friend — "MayHo," as she's known around the UAA — on a daily basis, but that only tells part of the story.
Here's a story.
During a soccer trip in Texas, the Gators' team bus broke down on a highway in the middle of nowhere. A call was made from a dusty roadside cafe that was closed for renovations. Another bus was on the way, but it was hours from arriving. Howard went into the diner to explain the situation and see if they could get some food. The owner told her no one was there to work the kitchen.
Next scene: Howard had the players inside the diner and had Burleigh reliving her days as a short-order cook. Howard and Assistant Coach Tiffany Thompson took orders and delivered the hamburgers, chicken and fries while the players took turns singing karaoke and line-dancing.
"This is a male-dominated profession and that can be intimidating, especially for young women coming into the organization," Burleigh said. "Women like Mary can be looked up to as examples of those of who have been successful in the job and have enjoyed it along the way."
Enjoyed it, she has. Howard has had a front-row seat for some incredible, historic and celebratory moments, but one of her greatest satisfaction comes with watching people mature and develop into young adults.
"Seeing a freshman going from yes-and-no responses to becoming seniors who give detailed, thoughtful answers, yes, you do take pride in that," Howard said. "I just love a good story."
Winning along the way is an added perk.
Asked how many championships her teams have won, Howard shrugs. "I should probably know that, but I'm not sure."
The question is rephrased.
How many SEC championships have the Gators won?
"Two hundred and forty-nine."
And how many national championships have the Gators won? "
"Forty-one."
Selfless. Team player. Gator.
"Mary Howard is a queen, but an undercover queen," Sloan said. "She's one of the most respected people from that athletic department. She always preferred to be behind the scenes, but loved to see things come together for the Gators. It gave her joy."
