Rowland Steptoe is a native Houstonian and was raised in the Trinity Gardens Community. He attended Easter Elementary, Chatham Elementary, Terrell Jr. High School and graduated from Kashmere High School in 1973. While at Kashmere, Rowland was a member of the Kashmere High School Baseball Team under the leadership of Coach Major Abram.
After graduation, Rowland enrolled at Prairie View A&M University where he excelled as a 4 Year Letterman in Baseball under the leadership of Coach John Tankersley. While 3 out of the 4 years, his teams made the NAIA playoffs. In 1976, he led the team in hitting with a .403 average. In 1978, he earned a BS Degree in All Levels Physical Education. Immediately after graduation, he was employed with Gulf Coast Community Service as a Recreational Specialist under the leadership of Prairie View Hall of Famer Randy Bostic. Rowland worked very closely with various city groups organizing Intramural Sports Programs to underprivileged youth and adults in the Houston area.
In 1981, Rowland began his teaching career with the Houston Independent School District at Roberts Elementary School, Pershing Middle School, Lamar High School and Lee High School. During his 28 years of teaching, he also coached baseball, basketball and football under the legionary Coaches Rocky Manuel, Frank Hatch, Goree Emanuel, Ray Evans and Searcy A Thomas. In 2009, he retired from the Houston Independent School District.
Currently, Rowland is an active member of several community based organizations. The Kashmere Former Athletes Association, Kashmere Alumni Association, ProUnitas Kashmere Community Council, Texas High School Coaching Association, Texas Retired Teachers Association, and the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association.
Rowland is an active and faithful member of the Trinity Gardens Church of Christ under the leadership of Minister Timothy Daniels, where he serves as Usher and Athletic Ministry Coordinator.
He would like to thank his dad, RD Steptoe Jr., mother, the late Georgia Lyles Steptoe, family, friends and teammates who always encourage him to always “Never Give Up”. He sends special thanks to Donald Dickson and the late John Hartfield for mentoring him during his early coaching career.
