ORANGEBURG, SC – The longtime South Carolina State basketball public address announcer has died. Dr. Robert E. “Wag” Howard, 89, died at his Orangeburg residence Tuesday (Nov. 3) night, following an extended illness.

A wake will be held Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at William Chapel AME Church, 1198 Glover Street, Orangeburg. The funeral is set for Monday at 4:30 p.m. at Robert E. Howard Middle School – named in his honor in 1991 -- at 1255 Belleville Road, Orangeburg

Howard, a retired educator and coach, was behind the mike for the South Carolina State men's basketball team for over 40 years and had been the PA announcer for both men and women since 1974. The Georgetown, SC native and SC State graduate was also a longtime press box assistant for all Bulldog home football games. He missed his first Bulldog home game in 40 years earlier this year after being hospitalized shortly before the start of the 2009 season.

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