There’s no better feeling than being deeply rooted in your community that you have served. For York College’s new women’s head coach, Emmett Howell, this new chapter in his story is a culmination of all the dedication he brings to so many student-athletes, whom he mentors and coaches, teaching them the many valuable lessons that the game of basketball can give anybody on and off the court.
I first met Coach Howell, also known by many as Coach “Chip,” last summer as he led the youth basketball players of the Bello Youth Sports with his team, taking part in the Be A Community Educator (B.A.C.E) basketball tournament at Roy Wilkins Park in Jamaica, Queens. From the moment I saw Coach Howell passionately coaching on the sideline, it was evident that his love for nurturing the future of young athletes comes from a genuine place.
Before being appointed to his new head coaching position at York College, Coach Howell was an assistant coach at Queensborough Community College, serving as an assistant with the men’s basketball team for 12 years, where the Tigers saw CUNYAC playoff appearances, with the program winning the 2022–2023 CUNYAC men’s championship. Howell also played a big part in transforming former Queensborough player Williams Guzman into an elite scorer and CUNYAC All-Region Second Team nominee. Through his training with Coach Howell, Guzman earned an athletic scholarship to Queens College.
Coach Howell’s dedication and strong advocacy for youth athletics also led him to create his own program. In 2010, he founded Learn The Game, a Queens-based basketball development initiative that has served as a training ground for athletes across youth, high school, and college levels. As CEO and head trainer, Howell has overseen everything from skill development and team coaching to scheduling and operations, further solidifying his reputation as both a mentor and a builder of opportunities for young players.
Coach Howell shared what it feels like to start this new journey at York College, personally and professionally: “This means the world to me. To be given a chance to cultivate a program that has great ties to the community. We, as a coaching staff, are elated for this opportunity.”
When leaders like Coach Emmett Howell guide young people toward a positive path — fostering leadership, community, and excellence through basketball — everyone in the community takes notice. Today, Coach Howell reaches even more athletes, sharing his love, passion, and purpose while developing the game at York College, one student-athlete at a time.