On February 25, 2006, the UT Athletic Department recognized the David L. Howard family of Shelbyville, Tennessee, for their gift to the Step Up campaign to improve UT athletic facilities by naming the rotunda in the Brenda Lawson Athletic Center for them. It was not the first time that David and Mary Howard had made significant contributions to athletic facilities. In May 1999 the Howards were instrumental in making the Thornton Athletic Student Life Center possible. A computer lab in Thornton is named for them.
Howard graduated from UT in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in psychology. He became president of Dabora Inc. of Shelbyville in 1968. Among other activities, Dabora publishes Saddle Horse Report, Walking Horse Report, and Horseworld. Howard served as president of the board of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.