(Theodore James) Ted Sowle coached football, track and served as athletic director at Catholic Central in the 1940s and 50s where he is remembered as a legendary figure in large part because of claiming four state championships.
His football teams at Catholic Central won 11 City League Championships and he was 136-30-7 in 19 years with the Cougars. Research by the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s historian reveals Sowle’s Cougars were state champions in 1943, ’49, ’51 and ’59. The championships are referred to as mythical state championships because MHSAA playoffs were not started until 1975 and prior state champions were decided by voting bodies.
As track coach, Sowle also collected City titles with seven and helped produce six individual state champions over the years.
A Mount Pleasant native, he was a standout athlete at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy before attending Central State Teachers College (now Central Michigan University). He played football and was the team’s center at Sacred Heart, and he was also a standout in track competing in high jump and throwing the javelin.
During his coaching and athletic director career Sowle was also an activist and proponent in making football equipment safer. He developed and patented a facemask for football helmets and it received notice in football circles and the media in 1954. It was also marketed as the Jr. Guardsman Face Guard in magazines, including Boy’s Life.
Sowle, who passed away in 1971 at the age of 59, is also a member of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
The Ted Sowle Award is presented annually at Catholic Central to a male and female athlete who excel in academics, citizenship and contributions to the school. Also, at Cougar Stadium the Cougar Honors plaques (honored sports figures and athletes from school history) are placed in the Ted Sowle Plaza at the south end of the stadium.