Howard “Whitey” Long graduated from Taylorville High School in 1956 and was a two year letter winner on both the baseball and basketball teams.

As a two year member of the basketball team, Long helped guide the Tornadoes to both an IHSA regional and sectional championship in 1956.  He scored a career 398 points and following graduation, played on year at Dubuque College before transferring to  Eastern Illinois University his sophomore year.

A three year letter winner for the Panthers, Long led the team in scoring his senior year with a 16.6 average and also pulled down a team leading 9.8 rebounds a game.  Folowling graduation, Long became an assistant coach to legend Dolph Stanley at Rockford Auburn High School.  He followed Stanley as head coach at Auburn gaining a record of 103 – 51, with three regional championships and a trip to the Final Four in 1975.  In 1976, Long moved top coach Freeport High School, having a record of 185-125 and retiring after nine winning seasons and one regional championship.