St. Mary's Ryken Appoints Steve Howes as Director of Athletics

 

St. Mary's Ryken High School is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Howes as its new Director of Athletics. Mr. Howes will officially join the school on July 1, 2026, and will lead one of the region's premier high school athletic programs.

Mr. Howes brings more than two decades of experience in athletic leadership, coaching, and student development. Most recently, he served as Director of Athletics at his alma mater and fellow Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland. In that role, he oversaw more than 40 athletic teams, managed a staff of 125 full- and part-time employees.

Known for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to developing the whole student-athlete, Mr. Howes led significant fundraising efforts, established a department-wide apparel partnership with Under Armour, and spearheaded major athletic facility renovations and branding initiatives.

Before transitioning into athletic administration, Mr. Howes enjoyed a distinguished 15-year career as head men's basketball coach at The Catholic University of America. He finished as the winningest coach in program history with a 276-138 record, guided the Cardinals to five NCAA Tournament appearances, and was twice named a finalist for the Glenn Robinson National Coach of the Year Award. His teams also excelled in the classroom, earning four NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards while maintaining a strong commitment to community service.

Mr. Howes earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from The Catholic University of America. In addition to his work in education and athletics, he serves as a college basketball analyst for ABC 7 and WUSA 9.

"We are excited to welcome Steve to the St. Mary's Ryken community," said Principal Tom Campbell. “Steve’s experience, vision, and commitment to student-athlete success make him an outstanding fit for our school. We are confident he will build upon our tradition of athletic excellence while continuing to foster a culture rooted in faith, character, and sportsmanship."

"I am honored to join the St. Mary's Ryken community," said Mr. Howes. "I look forward to working alongside our coaches, student-athletes, families, and alumni to continue building a championship culture that emphasizes excellence in competition, academics, faith, and service."

For more information about the St. Mary’s Ryken athletics program, go to www.smrhs.org/athletics or contact athletics@smrhs.org.