Pictured: John interviewing two-time CIF-SS champion & Rio Hondo Prep football coach, Mark Carson

There are very few sportswriters that are universally liked and respected.

Throughout the years, the list of reporters who haven’t been accused of favoring a school or program is even smaller.

However, longtime SGV area freelance writer John Honell is part of a rare breed that coaches trust, admire and consider a true friend.

John Honell has been covering high school athletics for north of 30 years, and his passion to give fair, accurate and positive publicity for the student-athletes of the San Gabriel Valley is evident in every piece he writes.

Today, September 29th of 2025, we celebrate Mr. Honell’s 85th birthday.

The first time I met John was in the fall of 2000.

It was my first season covering high school football for the SGV Tribune and sports editor, Doug Spoon.

I was one of 20-25 “correspondents” that went out every Friday night to an assigned game.

I can still remember that first meeting where Doug and his assistant, the late-great Art Wilson gave us some background on what they needed from each of us.

It seems a world away from what print newspapers are capable of doing in 2025.

Spoon and Wilson told us the approach they were taking was to have at least a six-inch story of every game that featured an SGV program.

Doug and Art wanted to make it possible for area sports fans who woke up early on Saturday mornings to be able to go to their favorite donut shop, get coffee, put a quarter in the newspaper slot and find any and every game that might interest them.

Back then, you got $25 to show up to the location of the event, take stats, record scoring plays, get quotes afterwards and haul ass back to the Tribune’s office in West Covina.

Upon a correspondent’s arrival, Art Wilson would tell each of us which computer was set for us and how many inches we needed to write.

We also had to meet a deadline, but back then it wasn’t nearly as early as it is now.

Once a reporter was done with a story and the accompanying box score or agate as they called it, we had to wait for an editor to read our stories in case they had any questions that needed clarification.

Sometimes that meant sitting in the Tribune office until well after 11.

One can only imagine how stressful it must have been for the desk crew to edit so many stories from inexperienced writers and still meet the print deadline.

And that’s exactly what made pros like John Honell so valued by Doug, Art and the desk.

John writes well, he’s accurate and knowledgeable, and he has the ability to articulate so effectively that someone who didn’t attend the game can almost picture for themselves what the big moments looked like based on Honell’s storytelling skills.

Just months before his death, I was emailing back and forth with Art Wilson, and we were talking about the good old days.

When the subject of John Honell came up, Art said, “John was one of only a handful of writers over the years that we could both count on to get a game in on time, and we rarely had to make changes in his stories.”

As mentioned earlier, I met John in 2000, and it just so happened to be a month to six weeks before Vice President Al Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush would duke it out for the world’s most powerful job.

Back then, John was 60 and pretty liberal, and I was 30 and rather conservative.

Looking back, it was ignorant and unfortunately all too easy to dislike someone based solely on their political ideology.

Sadly, 25 years later, it seems to have gotten so much worse.

However, John made it impossible to dislike him.

He can debate and disagree with decency, respect and facts, as opposed to personal insults or questioning the character or morals of someone on the other side.

John served our country in uniform with dignity, and he’s always looked out for the little guy/gal or those who don’t feel like they have a voice.

He also has a massive heart, and that love was especially directed towards his beautiful wife Judy, who tragically passed away during the COVID pandemic.

But it doesn’t stop there.

A number of coaches have told this reporter that throughout the years, John has asked about their husbands, wives, children and parents, and far more times than not, Honell remembers the names of their family members.

When his first Thanksgiving without Judy was approaching, I invited John to spend it with my mom and me.

He was touched and grateful, and after we told him there was nothing that we needed him to bring, John showed up with flowers for my 80-year-old mother.

After John left, the first thing my mom mentioned was how beautiful it was to hear John talk about his late wife and their marriage in such glowing terms.

The way his face lit up while talking about Judy was nothing short of moving.

John Honell is also a terrific friend.

Four years ago, I went through four four-hour surgeries to remove what seemed like a score of kidney stones.

It came at a horrible time.

It was nearing the end of the football playoffs, and a number of 210 Prep Sports programs had advanced deeply in the (2021) postseason.

I was physically unable to do much, especially anything that required the leaving of my home.

In spite of being 81 and not having written for a few years, John asked me to allow him to cover some playoff games.

He wasn’t necessarily doing it because he wanted to return to writing, he did it so that I could stay home and get the necessary rest to overcome a myriad of medical maladies.

John returned to the sidelines and sent me quality story after story, and he did so in spite of knowing I didn’t have a budget to pay him.

After Northview secured a CIF-SS Division 10 title by defeating St. Anthony (27-20) and a 27-26 CIF State D-4A So Cal Regional victory at Colony, both of which he covered for 210 Prep Sports, John volunteered to go to San Francisco for me and report about the Vikings in the D-4A state final against Sacred Heart Cathedral at the famous Kezar Stadium.

I was able to attend it, but John still wanted to help his buddy and contribute to the site.

He put together a terrific piece on the history of Kezar Stadium, as well as giving the Northview family and fans a list of historical places to visit while up north.

His column was read over 8,000 times.

Since contributing to this site, and with this writer’s ability to take back the reigns of 210 Prep Sports, John has gone back to reporting for the Tribune.

And the entirety of the San Gabriel Valley is better for it.

Don’t let his age fool you.

This dude is fit, capable and he still has a passion for what he does best.

I can still vividly remember a game last year that we were both covering at Covina District Field.

We were on the north or visitors sideline, and a long play had just occurred.

Without missing a beat, the 84-year-old Honell put his clipboard under his arm and jogged about 50 yards towards the east end zone so he could get where he needed to be to document the next play in his notes.

He looked like a man in his 30’s.

Honell went to Schoolcraft High School in Schoolcraft, Michigan, a town about 15 miles south of Kalamazoo.

Schoolcraft was a Class E school until he was a junior, but 97% of all Class E schools were in the Upper Peninsula so they were always considered a Class D school.

Schoolcraft played in a league with four Class C schools and four Class D schools, and the school never had a losing season in any sport while he was in high school.

Honell earned four varsity letters in baseball, three in football, and one each in basketball and track.

They school only had one coach for all sports.

When and why did John leave Michigan for California?

Honell graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1966, after returning from the Army, and was working at the Holiday Inn in Kalamazoo. he went to work one night and got snowed in for three days.

It went down as one of the all-time worst blizzards in Michigan’s history mainly because of the way the weather conditions changed drastically in a short amount of time.

After spending an hour shoveling snow off his car, Honell was driving home and he said to himself: “some people have to live here but, I’m not one of them.”

He left for San Francisco a month later, and he’s been in California ever since.

Honell joked that he tried to be a Hippy during the Summer of Love but, “I look really bad with long hair.”

John has covered every high school sports recognized by CIF other than field hockey.

He was the Sports Editor for the short-lived (2 years) West Covina Weekly.

Honell covered West Covina and South Hills High school sports, and he wrote a column called: “Touching Base” which was fun.

I asked John if there was any games that stuck out to him.

“The CIF football championship game between West Covina and South Hills in 2004. The player of the game was Walther Thurmond III, who went on to be an All-American at Oregon and, even though he tore up his knee, he played several years in the NFL. The most memorable championship was South Hills playing for its second consecutive baseball title in 1998. They had used up all their pitching getting to the championship game and were facing a pitcher who was going to sign a pro contract after he graduated. When the umpire called the coaches to home plate to exchange lineups before the game, he also told them what he would, and would not, put up with. He said, anyone that said “f***” would be tossed. South Hills was the home team and the stud pitcher for the other team was also their best hitter. He struck out on a 60-MPH curve ball and let loose with the f-bomb, and the umpire tossed him. He never got to throw a pitch and South Hills ended up winning a 9-8. Even the late-great Jim Bastion admitted afterwards that SHHS had no change against that guy.”

I asked: Who he’d consider the top 3-5 athletes that he covered

Said John Honell: “I mentioned Walker and DeBusschere earlier and would have to add Diana Taurasi. In the 90’s, the Tribune covered every school, in every sport, even if it was just a 2-3 paragraph mention. I was sent to cover the St. Lucy’s basketball team when they played at Don Lugo. Taurasi had been getting a ton of ink and St. Lucy’s was one of our top teams so I knew there would be a big crowd. I got there an hour and a half early and decided I needed a candy bar while waiting. I bought a Snickers bar from a girl wearing Don Lugo sweats. It turned out that was Diana Taurasi so, to this day, to me her nickname is “Snickers.” She is still one of the most competitive players I’ve ever seen. Right there with Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. I guarantee that she wouldn’t have hesitated to go one on one with either of them. They were taller than her and might have beaten her but, they would not have enjoyed the experience.

The person I’m still following today is Jonathan Smith, the coach at Michigan State. I covered him at Glendora High School his senior year. I interviewed him after their win and then went to talk to the coach. He (who shall remain nameless) went off on me about not covering “his guy” and giving all the ink to another Smith at South Hills. He told me his guy is better and deserves more publicity, etc., etc. I thought it was strange as I was getting paid $20 and had absolutely no say in what games I covered and no one asked who I thought the best players were. But, even coaches are sometimes right so I started following Jonathan to his career at Oregon State and then while he was coaching at his alma mater. I was ecstatic when he got the MSU job as I had been a lifelong fan of Sparty and I knew that they had finally found someone to turn that program around.”

John is also a world-class smart ass.

His quick wit is something that entertains all who know him.

Honell has spent the last seven days with his daughter.

His only child traveled from the St. Louis area to be with her father on the big day.

Happy 85th birthday, John.

You are respected, admired, appreciated and loved by many.

Lasty, just below are birthday tributes sent from his former boss, John’s peers, SGV coaches and administrators.

Quotable:

Former SGV Tribune/Whittier Daily News & Pasadena Star News sports editor, Doug Spoon: “I would like to wish John a happy birthday. He was one of the most reliable freelance writers we ever had at the Tribune. He always came in with a smile on his face and joke to tell. His stories were very accurate and needed very little editing. I’m glad to have known him and wish him well.”

Four-time CIF-SS champion at SHHS & current Bonita coach, Steve Bogan: “John Honell is one of the best. He has a gift of actually telling the truth about how a game went, and at the same time being as positive as possible towards all involved. On top of that, John is, simply put, good people and a true friend.”

Covina football & track coach, Kevin Glaspy: “John has been covering the area for as long as I can remember for over 30 years. Whether at football games or our track meets, he’s always been fun to chat with on all occasions. He is a true pro and is very respected in the SGV coaching circles. Happy Birthday, John.”

Former SDHS assistant principal, Jack Nance: “For me and the last 17 years on the sidelines, it was always a pleasure to have him on our sidelines covering the Saints at San Dimas. We were able to have great conversations and shared a laugh now and then. Happy Birthday, John. I hope I can have the energy and great character you have at 85.”

Three-time CIF-SS championship coach, Mike Maggiore: “I’ve known John since the first year I took over the program in 1996. John has always been more than a reporter trying to get a story or write about a game. He quickly became a friend and showed an interest in our program, my family and my general well being. John has a good sense of humor and always knew when to deliver a joke or tease me. He was complimentary of me and our program when things were just getting started, seemed to be “on our side” and happy with our success. I have appreciated him over the years more than he knows.

He was a good reporter who knew the game and was always prepared. He understood what to look for and what questions to ask. John was really good at what he did. Beyond the job he was doing, what I appreciated most was his interest in me as a person and my family. He always took the time to ask about them. He not only asked about them, but really did care. I loved having John cover our games and our many talks over the years. It would start off on football usually and end up everywhere else. John Honell is a good reporter and a great man with a big heart. Happy birthday, John.”

CIF-SS championship Northview coach, Marcel Perez: “I can remember John covering games back when I was in high school in the 90’s. I still have footage of our win vs Rancho Alamitos in the quarterfinal round and John being there on film running around making sure everything settled down after a huge brawl after the game in the hand shaking line. John has always covered the sports with professionalism.  Now, as a head coach, I enjoy our conversations before games. John always asks the right questions and just genuinely cares about the job, the sport, and the kids. Thank you, John for your continued professionalism and friendship.”

Hall of Fame wrestling coach & Northview AD, David Ochoa: “John Honell is one of the best people I been fortunate enough to meet through high school athletics. John is a kind and caring person who has done an outstanding job covering high school sports. One of the greatest things about being involved in athletics is the relationships you make along the way. I will always value my relationship with John.”

CIF-SS champion Glendora coach, Gordon Hamlow: “John is the ultimate professional. He comes with a smile and is always wonderful to have conversations with and does such a fantastic job as the articulates what happened in each game. It’s really a joy to see him show up when he’s coming to cover your games.”

Former West Covina baseball coach, Drew Lorenger: “John covered our baseball games for years while I was the head coach at West Covina. His questions were always insightful and he’s a great writer. Most importantly, he’s a kind man. He happens to live near my kid’s elementary school, so I frequently ran into him over the years while he was out walking his dog. It’s always uplifting running into John because of his kindness and positive outlook. He’s always genuinely interested in how other people are doing.”

Soon-to-be Northview Hall of Famer & longtime SGV sportswriter, Steve Ramirez: “John is the ultimate professional. He’s a guy you could always count on no matter what assignment you gave him. John is as well liked as anyone I’ve known in this profession.”