John Howard Starr
John Howard Starr was head coach of the Colgate University hockey team for 15 years. He was born on John Street in New London, Connecticut, in 1898. He died November 14, 1989, in Florida. A 40-year member of the Colgate faculty, Howie retired in 1965 when the university's hockey arena was named in his honor. As head coach of hockey for 15 years he won 87, lost 72 and tied four games. He was also Colgate's first swimming coach. He was professor of physical education and chairman of the Department of Physical Education and Intramural Athletics, Colgate University, 1926–1965.
A 1922 graduate of Springfield College, he came to Colgate in 1926 from Greenville, South Carolina, where he had been director of health & physical education and basketball coach. At Colgate, he was an assistant professor of physical education, 1926-1934; associate professor, 1934–1946, and a full professor, 1946–1965. He instituted the first intramural athletic programs at Colgate in 1934. He was Coach of Swimming, 1926–1932 ; coach of ice hockey, 1932–1950, and coach of gymnastics, 1928–1932. In 1965 at time of retirement, the ice rink was named Starr Rink.
When he retired, he took a position at Bowling Green State University in Ohio and helped oversee the development and operation of their new ice skating arena at the behest of then university president Jerome. During that period, he mentored a number of young skaters, including Scott Hamilton.
His professional memberships included:
- Colgate Eta chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.
- Board of directors, Sigma Delta Psi
- NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee, 6 years: chairman 1950–51.
- Charter and Life Member American Ice Hockey Coaches Association
- Charter member, College Intramurals Directors Association.
- Member, Hamilton Masonic Lodge #120 and Cyrus Chapter 50 R.A.M.
- Member, First Baptist Church, Hamilton, N.Y.
- Member, board of directors, Community Memorial Hospital, 1955–1965.
- Chairman, Hamilton, N.Y. Recreation Commission for 8 years.