Photo By Lance Cpl. Jerrick J. Griffin | Cpl. Jeremy Howell, Help Desk non-commissioned officer-in-charge, G-6, Headquarters...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – While growing up, children are often asked what they want to be when they’re older and what their goals are for the future.
Many kids want to become super heroes and save the world; but for one young boy, all he wanted was to become a basketball coach
and make a difference in the lives of others.
Cpl. Jeremy Howell held on tight to that goal and made it a reality.
Growing up in a small town of Flanagan, Ill., Howell and his siblings were raised by his mother, Julie Block. He is the oldest of six children.
“I’m like a hero to them,” said Howell, 21, about his influence on his brothers and sisters. “Being 11 years older than the next oldest kid, they always came to me for advice and guidance.”
Since his grandparents owned a local bowling alley, Howell bowled for fun as a child, which initiated his love for sports.
“I grew up poor and didn’t have much to do,” said Howell, Help Desk non-commissioned officer in charge, G-6, Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group. “So I went to the bowling alley and bowled.”
Being a big sports fan, Howell’s dream was to become a basketball coach. In order to learn about the game, he played basketball
throughout his childhood.
“Growing up, I wasn’t the best player. But I played really hard and I had great coaches,” said Howell, who broke his hand and had to sit on the sideline during his senior year.
Howell thought it wasn’t possible for him to become a basketball coach and had slowly let go of that dream. But as he observed the
game from the sideline, he realized that he liked studying plays and scouting out the opposing players, which made him want to coach even more.
In high school, besides basketball, Howell started learning about computer maintenance, and it became one of his free-time hobbies,
which later helped him as he worked as a tactical data systems network administrator in the Marine Corps.
Putting his dream on pause, Howell enlisted in the Marine Corps to get out of his small town and see the world. But the main reason
Howell joined the armed forces was to be able to further his education.
Howell resumed his dream when he found out he had an opportunity to be a coach for the Young Champions of America program, the largest multisport recreation organization in the United States, dedicated to providing high quality, affordable programs Cpl. Jeremy Howell, Help Desk non-commissioned officer-in-charge, G-6, Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, assists a young girl with shooting a basketball during a Young Champions basketball practice in Escondido, Calif., April 8, for boys and girls, ages 5- 15.
He never thought that being a Marine would actually give him a chance to make his dream come true.
“It started with me looking for a coaching job,” said Howell. “I found an ad and answered it. A few days later, I got the job.”
He conducted his first practice as a Young Champion instructor April 8 for a local youth basketball team.
“I was pretty nervous at first,” said Howell. “I never worked with kids that young besides my own brothers and sisters. It was a fun experience; I had fun and the kids had fun.”
Howell, who joined the Marine Corps in June 2007, said what he enjoys most about coaching the kids is the sense of pride he gets from watching them succeed.
“Everywhere I go, I try to make an impact to let people know who I am,” said Howell.
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.20.2011 14:56 |
| Story ID: | 69049 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 41 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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