Howard Pochnik's story is simple, steady, and full of the ultimate kind of lessons. He did not run a Fortune 500 company or lead a major investment firm.
Instead, he built a career in the classroom and on the court, shaping youth through discipline, teamwork and grit. His leadership came from showing up every day, teaching history and coaching sports, with the same focus he once used as a college hurdler.
Below is a closer look at his journey – which proves leadership isn't about titles. It's about impact.
Early years in West Virginia
Howard Pochnik grew up in Weirton, West Virginia. Life there was peaceful and focused on community. He graduated from Brooke High School in 1976, and had already developed the mindset that would shape his future career.
He once said, “When you grow up in a small town, you quickly realize that people are watching.” “It teaches you to carry yourself the right way.”
That sense of accountability led him to Fairmont State College, where he studied education and competed on the track team. He was a hurdler – a sport that requires speed, timing and focus.
“Hurdling taught me how to attack the obstacles,” Howard said. “Don't be slow. Be balanced and confident in your form.”
This approach will guide him later as a teacher and trainer.
building a career in the classroom
Howard received a bachelor's degree in education from Fairmont State in 1981. His passion for teaching history comes from the belief that understanding the past helps people make better choices in the present.
He said, “History is not just dates. It is the history of people trying, failing and trying again.” “It's something kids can connect with.”
His first major role was at Steubenville Central High School, where he taught history and coached basketball. It was here that Howard learned how connected teaching and coaching really are. Both required patience, clear communication, and the ability to motivate people with different personalities and goals.
“Teenagers have good radar,” he said. “If you care they know. If they trust you, they'll follow you anywhere.”
Leadership on the court and beyond
Howard later moved to Oklahoma City, where he coached basketball and baseball at Mount St. Mary's High School and Putnam West High School. Coaching multiple sports at different schools has given him a broad perspective on what young athletes need.
He often used to say that coaching is not about winning. It was about helping kids see what they are capable of.
“I always tell my players, 'You don't rise to the occasion. You rise to your level of preparation.' “That message sticks with people even after the season ends.”
This approach made Howard a steady, reliable leader – the kind students respected and colleagues respected.
He created the structure. He kept the expectations clear. And he taught his students to handle pressure, success and failures with maturity.
A passion for golf that never fades
Howard's love of golf began in college and remained with him until retirement. Over the years, he competed in amateur tournaments in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Florida.
Golf gave him something that coaching could not – quiet moments, time to think, and a personal test of patience and discipline.
“In golf, there's no one to blame,” he said. “You learn a lot about yourself there.”
Even after retiring from teaching, Howard used golf as a way to stay active, traveling, and meeting other people who loved the game as much as he did. This became a lifelong passion based on routine and self-improvement.
A career built on character and consistency
Howard never chased titles or accolades. He didn't build a flashy resume or achieve national recognition. Instead they created an environment where students learned to think, act, grow, and work together.
He viewed leadership as an everyday responsibility – not performance.
“I always believed that if you're going to do something, do it right,” he said. “Children remember the adults who come through for them.”
Today, Howard Pochnik's career stands as an example of steady leadership in academics and athletics. His approach is rooted in core values: discipline, preparation and genuine care for people.
For readers interested in understanding the impact of long-term leadership in schools and sports, Howard's story delivers a clear message: real impact comes from consistency and character.
