Vogts, Howard C

Coach Vogts first came to Bethpage in 1952, after graduating from Adelphi University in Garden City. He and his wife, Carolyn, used to chaperone "kids" on the early hayrides (transportation provided by Charles Champagne Trucking Company.) Athletic Director, "Howie" (in conjunction with the late Hugh Coyle, former school board member) set up the "Quarterback Club" in 1955-56, now known as the "Dads' Club." In 1966-67, he and his wife Carolyn took mutual sabbatical leaves from their respective educational fields and went out to Michigan State to work on doctoral degrees; he, in administration, and she in pupil personnel services. While there, "Howie" had the good fortune to work with "Duffy" Dougherty, Head Coach at MSU as MSU tied for National Champs with Notre Dame. See New York Times of 9/19/97 for more info on Mr. Howard C. Vogts.

After his one year stint at Michigan State in 1966, Mr. Vogts returned to Bethpage in spite of opportunities to coach college football. Bethpage is a huge football town, and since 1952 Vogts had 303 wins and became the coach with the most wins in New York State high school football in November 2000. In his 50+ years of coaching teenagers, Vogts has coached three generations of players from Bethpage, and he continues to win.

Coach Vogts, legendary football coach at Bethpage High School for the past 56 years died August 7, 2010 at the age of 80. His life was celebrated at a memorial service held on the Howie C. Vogts Football field (named for him in 1989) on August 12, 2010. Attended by more then 1,000 people including former players, community leaders and coaching colleagues. As reported in NEWSDAY, August 8, 2010 (Gregg Sarra), Coach Vogts, the only coach the Golden Eagles had, led the team to a state record of 364 wins, including 35 regular season league or conference titles, 16 playoff championships and five Long Island titles. He also claimed three Rutgers Cups.