Howard's Homecoming, Career and Message is Memorable

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Fighting through two knee injuries, Chris Howard keeps striding.

February 9, 2010 - During his time at Friendly High School (MD), Chris Howard experienced prodigious success, winning back-to-back Maryland State chips, the last garnered in 2004. The Patriots went 51-2 while he was there.

From there, it was off to prep school, Florida Prep to be exact, but he didn't hoop there. Staying in the Sunshine State, Howard decided to attend South Florida the following season, but as luck would have it, injured his left ACL, after which he redshirted.

Things are looking up for Chris Howard.

Unfortunately, 2006-2007 would present another challenge for Howard, as he missed the first 16 games of the year with another left knee injury, one sustained during the summer of '06.

From there it had been three years since Howard was the stalwart he had been at Friendly ; Chris has since returned to form, playing in every game on USF's schedule. Presently he's the Bulls' floor general, averaging 8.1 points, 3.7 boards and 3.6 assists. USF is one of the most assurgent teams in the nation's toughest college league, the Big East.

Nowhere was that more evident than when the Bulls traveled north to Washington, DC, beating Georgetown 72-65 at the city's Verizon Center six days ago. Howard finished with eight points and six dimes, while playing a total of 36 minutes. He was instrumental in erasing a nine point deficit (13 at one point in the first stanza) South Florida faced at intermission.

Howard still likes to drop dimes.

Afterward, returning home for the last time as a collegian victorious, Howard was understandably sanguine.

"It was big for us, playing in front of my family" he said of the win, while enjoying visiting with loved ones including his mother, who was celebrating her birthday. He latter added "They were ranked in the top ten (eighth or ninth, depending on poll). It was definitely big for us".

So was the Bulls' turnaround. Of it, like a coach, Chris noted: "Just turn it up defensively. I think we got a grasp of the offense they were running - the Princeton. We just turned it up defensively, and the rest was history".

James Dare, a coach of Chris' with DC Assault (AAU) 17U team in 2002, never had any reservation Howard would prevail, despite the challenges faced. "He went through those two knee intjures...I always kept him focused and encouraged him" recalled Dare, a coach of nine years, via telephone recently. "I told him to believe in God and good things will happen".

Not that it was hard keeping Chris' spirits afloat, as Dare went on to say "One thing about him even at Friendly, he was a leader. He always kept everyone motivated and up to par".

In an understated manner, Howard simply stated "It's turned around. It definitely shows what hard work can do for you" when asked to comment on his experience as a USF Bull.

Howard attempts to swipe another DCA guy, Austin Freeman.

Want to hear Howard opine about DC Assault , his time at South Florida, and share opinions on that program? Click here.

One things for sure, because of hard work and perseverance, things are looking up for Chris Howard. He's an example for others.

Additional Pics:

Howard faces Chris Wright, who at one time played for DC Assault.

DCA vs DCA: Howard and Freeman meet again, this time at the cup.