Joplin Sports Authority

Starting in 1951 as freshman basketball coach at Commerce High School, Harold spent 36 years in coaching and administration, ending a 35-year association with the Joplin school system in 1986 as athletic director. Harold coached at all three junior high school, starting in November of 1952 at South when then head coach Johnny Smith was called into military services. Harold coached five years at South before moving over to East for eight years. He then coached three years at North before taking the post of assistant principal at South. Harold was named principal at East Junior High School in 1971, a position he held until becoming athletic director of Joplin R-8 Public Schools in 1976. During his 10-year run as Joplin AD, Harold saw the emergence of girls athletics and the consolidation of Parkwood and Memorial High Schools in 1985. In addition to his scholastic coaching duties, Harold spent his summers directing Joplin’s junior golf and tennis programs. Staring in 1955, Harold headed the junior programs for 20 years and helped develop many of the city’s young golfers and tennis players. 

Harold helped launch a city-sponsored youth basketball program and served as a youth baseball coach. A graduate of Joplin High School, Harold was a member of the Eagle’s golf team and later played golf at Joplin Junior College and Southwest Missouri State University. After a stint in the Navy, Harold returned to Joplin to continue his education at Joplin Junior College and later at Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University). An infielder, Harold played on some of Joplin’s top fast pitch softball teams while attending college and as a young coach. For his contribution to the game, Harold was inducted into the Joplin Golf Hall of Fame in 1986. He is married to the former Betty Stokes and they have three children; Beth, Kathy & Chuck as well as several grandchildren.