Wayne Rathke of Kerrville was one of Howard Payne’s most accomplished track and field stars in weight events. As a senior in 1969, he won the Lone Star Conference shot put and discus events, qualifying for the NAIA championship meet in both events and earning All-American and setting HPU and NAIA shot put records. He also threw the javelin. Rathke was on the last team that legendary Yellow Jacket Coach J.H. “Cap” Shelton fielded. In football, he was All-Lone Star Conference for three years and All-District NAIA for two years as an offensive guard. After earning both his bachelor’s and master’s from Howard Payne, he coached at Longview High before returning to Howard Payne in 1971 to serve as an assistant coach in football and track. He was head track coach from 1975-78 while continuing as assistant football coach. After HPU, Rathke coached at Brownwood High under coaches Gordon Wood and Randy Allen.