A native of Brownwood Texas, Dr. Randle grew up with both his parents Edward and Dorathy Randle and 3 siblings: brothers Ken and Damien and sister Kim. Randle is married to his wife Shelly, and they have four children: Jaxon, Stella, Brailyn, and Trinitee. He and his wife also have one grandson named Brysten.

Growing up in Brownwood, Randle at an early age learned the value of a great work ethic, good character, integrity, and faith. These traits would guide him into his teenage years, young adulthood, and adulthood.

As a young man, Randle saw early success in sports. He was a natural with any ball he touched. Soon he would gravitate more to the game of basketball, where he excelled. While attending Brownwood High school, Randle began to struggle with academics. Knowing how important playing basketball was to him, he was determined to push himself in the classroom to remain eligible. Not only did he want to be eligible for basketball, but he also wanted to graduate. With determination, faith and the guidance of his family, Randle graduated from high school in 1994. He later found out that he had an undisclosed learning disability.

After graduating from high school, Randle was afforded the opportunity to attend college and would be a first generation college student. In the Fall of 1994, Randle enrolled in Howard Payne University, where he would major in Social Work. The decision to choose social work came from his desire to help the youth in his community. Randle saw many of his friends and others fall victim to the streets, drugs and violence as well as the criminal justice system.

While attending HPU, Randle was a part of the Yellow Jacket basketball team. Going back to the traits that were instilled in him as a young man, Randle led the Jackets to three straight conference titles and three NAIA national tournament appearances in 1995, 1996, and 1997. Randle averaged 17.2 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game in 91 games played for the Yellow Jackets. But it was his 1.96 steals per game and 1.25 blocks per game that set him apart as a great overall player. On his way to 1,562 career points, Randle was named the TIAA Player of the Year in 1996 and an All-American in 1996 and 1997, cementing himself as one of the best non-scholarship players to ever play for Howard Payne and in the country.

As great of a player as he was on the court, it was off the court where Randle shined the most. Everyone who encountered him left feeling better about themselves and their situation. While in college Randle sharpened his ability to lead and mentor and provided great leadership not only for his teammates, but for students and the community of Brownwood.

In 1997, Randle graduated from HPU with a bachelor’s degree in social work. He continued his educational success by attending and graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Master of Science in Social Work in 2001. Wanting more, Randle stayed at UT Arlington and pursued his Ph. D in social work. In 2008, Dr. Randle graduated with his doctorate in social work.

Never forgetting where he came from, Dr. Randle continued to mentor and lead the youth of his hometown of Brownwood. Mentoring them with the aim of preventing them from getting involved in drugs and getting their high school diploma.

In 2022, Randle was inducted into the HPU Yellow Jacket athletic hall of honors.

Today Dr. Randle is a full Professor and the Director of the Social Work program at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas where he still uses to this day those leadership skills that made him and the teams successful. When he’s not teaching the next generation of scholars, Dr. Randle travels around the state giving keynote speeches on his signature topics of: Iron Sharpens Iron, Purpose/Destiny/Gift, Peace after pain:7 keys, Importance of being present and F.O.C.U.S

Revitalizing Our Community (ROC) would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Brownwood’s own, Dr. Edward “Big” Randle, for the impact he’s making on the next generation and communities around the state. Keep sharpening the future of tomorrow, because as our 2024 theme says, “It starts with me!”

This will be a four-week, weekly series presented by ROC spotlighting African American Heroes from or in Brownwood, who have made an impact on the community.