Earl Rowan, former Lee University head basketball coach, broadcaster, and educator, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2025, at the age of 80.
Lee University and the whole Cleveland community mourn the demise of their beloved hoops coach and broadcaster, Earl Rowan.
Born in South Georgia in 1945, Earl Rowan came to Cleveland, Tennessee, to earn his bachelor’s degree at Lee University.
What began as a temporary move turned into a lifelong journey—he never returned to his homeland and instead made Cleveland his forever home.
“I came with the intention of going to Lee College for two years, then transferring to the University of Georgia or Valdosta State to finish getting my degree to become a history teacher,” said the late Earl Rowan.
Moreover, while still pursuing his bachelor’s degree at Lee University, Earl began serving as the school’s director of intramural sports under head coach Dale Hughes.
Rowan, who graduated from Lee University in 1966 with a degree in Christian education, also first met his wife, Kathy Shankle, while attending the college.
While Earl Rowan excelled in basketball, his wife, Kathy Shankle, showcased her exceptional cheerleading skills at Lee University.
The couple married in 1985 and were together for four decades. Kathy remained Earl Rowan’s constant source of support until his last breath.
Born in 1951 in Tennessee to the late Korean War veteran Clyde Franklin Shankle and mother Kathleen Orvin, Kathy Shankle devoted her entire life to the church.
She has a younger sister named Cynthia Bristol Johnson.
Like Earl Rowan, his wife, Dr. Kathy Shankle Rowan, served as an educator for 34 years in various positions in the Cleveland City Schools.
Sharing a love for the Lord, education, sports, and travel, the couple was involved in outreach ministry at North Cleveland Church of God.
They also later became involved in the nursing home and shut-in ministries.
Late Earl Rowan Began His Career Journey With East Cleveland Elementary School
After graduating from Lee University, Earl Rowan began his career as a teacher and basketball coach at East Cleveland Elementary School.
Moreover, he officially began coaching as an assistant basketball coach at Lee University under head coach Dale Hughes.
He also made history at Lee University by becoming its first baseball coach in 1975 and establishing its first cross-country program, serving his position from 1975 to 1978.
Furthermore, when Lee’s head basketball coach, Hughes, resigned, Rowan took over as head coach and also began serving as the athletic director until 1982.
He was Lee’s head coach and athletic director until 1982.
As one of the nation’s youngest college basketball coaches, Earl led the Vikings to a 123-96 record, securing three 20+ win seasons.
His teams won four NCCAA District 5 Championships, placed third in the NCCAA National Tournament three times, and finished as national runners-up once.
After his tenure at Lee, Rowan reunited with Dale Hughes, who was serving as the principal of Bradley Central High School.
From 1982 to 1996, Rowan served as the boys’ basketball head coach at Bradley High School, amassing a 281-148 record.
He led his team to secure multiple district titles and two TSSAA substate appearances.
In addition to serving as the Bradley High School men’s basketball head coach, Earl returned to coaching baseball at Lee University in 1982 and led the Vikings in the NCAA District 5 playoffs win.
He was inducted into the Lee University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007, the Bradley Central Bears Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Bradley Central High School Hall of Fame in 2024.
Moreover, Rowan dedicated nearly four decades to teaching in the Bradley County Schools system and worked as a local sports broadcaster for nearly 60 years.
He continued broadcasting on ESPN Cleveland 101.3 until last season, making him one of the longest-serving voices in Tennessee high school athletics.
In addition to his longtime wife, Kathy, Earl Rowan is survived by his children, three sisters, Cheryl, Lydia, and LaJuana, two brothers, Wallace Rowan and Linwood Rowan, and the whole family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph A. Rowan (1909-1989), and his mother, Alene Singletary Rowan (1924-2005).
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Earl Rowan began his broadcasting journey in the mid-1960s, joining broadcasting legends Corky Whitlock and Gary Ownbey, providing commentary for Bradley Central Bears football games.
- He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Tennessee State Athletic Directors Association in 2007 and was named Bradley County Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2009.
