E. R. Cowell

Everett Russell "Shorty" Cowell (September 24, 1897 – July 15, 1931) was an American football and basketball coach. He served as the football coach at Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas, from 1925 to 1927, compiling a record of 9–12–1. Cowell was also the head basketball coach at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas, from 1923 to 1925, tallying a mark of 16–20. He attended Kansas State Agricultural College—now known as Kansas State University—where lettered in football, basketball, and baseball.

Early life and playing career Cowell was born in Clay Center, Kansas, on September 24, 1897, to Jasper Cowell, originally of England, and his wife, Effie. He was an alumnus of Kansas State Agricultural College—now known as Kansas State University—from which he graduated in the field of "animal husbandry" in 1921. At Kansas State, Cowell played on the school's baseball team in the 1919 and 1920 seasons, the football team from 1917 to 1920 and also the basketball team from at least 1918, to his graduation year of 1921. He had also earned nine total letters in baseball and football.

Coaching career Prior to his graduation and during his years as a player, Cowell coached a football team in his hometown of Clay Center. Upon graduation from college, Cowell coached football at Norton High School in Norton, Kansas, from 1921 to 1922. In May 1925, he was hired as by Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas to succeed Warren Woody head football coach. In three seasons at Sterling, 1925 to 1927, he led his teams to a record of 9–12–1.

In 1927, Cowell was elected vice president of the Mid-Continent Athletic Association. He died on July 15, 1931, and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery at Clay Center.

Head coaching record College football