GEAYA Community Announcements 

Bringing our community together and helping recognize the people we care about. Our way GEAYA says “Thanks you for all your support!”

In Memoriam: James Howard (1935–2025)
President Emeritus, Greater East Austin Youth Association
 Philanthropist • Coach • Mentor • Community Leader

Remembering Our Founder, Mr. James Howard (1935–2025)

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Mr. James Howard (1935–2025) — one of the founders and mentors of the Greater East Austin Youth Association (GEAYA) and the East Austin Youth Foundation.

Mr. Howard was instrumental in bringing organized youth sports to East Austin in the 1970s along with co-founder Nat Cannon. His leadership and vision created opportunities for generations of children in our community, and his legacy continues to live on in every game, every team, and every player who takes the field.

As a lifelong coach and mentor for more than 25 years, Mr. Howard helped introduce youth football, basketball, girls’ kickball, and Little League baseball to East Austin in 1975. He raised funds, recruited volunteers, organized teams, and provided equipment and uniforms for countless young athletes.

His devotion extended far beyond the field—driving kids to and from games, missing dinners at home, and giving generously of his time and resources. After the loss of his beloved wife, Lola Bernice Howard (also a coach), Mr. Howard refocused his energy, following what he described as a calling from God to help the youth of East Austin.

Through his leadership and partnership with other community leaders, Mr. Howard co-founded GEAYA and the East Austin Youth Foundation, both 100% volunteer-driven nonprofit organizations providing structured youth sports and scholarships for underserved East Austin children.

From the first football teams — the Blue Knights and the Green Hornets — to the early basketball teams, the Falcons and Yellow Jackets, and the original Little League teams, Mr. Howard’s dedication built a foundation for generations to come. Today, hundreds of East Austin youth continue to benefit from the programs he helped establish.

“This is a big loss for GEAYA,” said Lee Dawson Jr., President of GEAYA. “Mr. Howard had a huge influence on my life, and his efforts encouraged me to step up and join GEAYA after playing for him as a kid. GEAYA is a family, and Mr. Howard was like our father — the one who started it all. We will miss him deeply. God bless him and his family.”

Mr. Howard believed that youth sports bring communities together and teach discipline, respect, sportsmanship, teamwork, and confidence — and that “everyone’s a winner if you do the best you can.”

We honor and celebrate his life, his faith, and his service to the East Austin community.

Memorial Services

📍 Olivet Baptist Church
1179 San Bernard Street
Austin, Texas 78702

Visitation: Saturday, November 1, 2025 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. CDT
Funeral Service: Saturday, November 1, 2025 | 11:00 – 12:00 p.m. CDT

📍 Interment: Evergreen Cemetery
Austin, Texas 78721
Saturday, November 1, 2025 | 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. CDT

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Howard family during this difficult time.
This weekend, GEAYA plays for Mr. Howard. 💛

🎃 Join GEAYA at the Pumpkin Carver Halloween Event! 🎃

It’s fall, and Halloween is just around the corner! This year, GEAYA is proud to support the Carver Branch Library and Carver Museum ATX for the Pumpkin Carver Halloween Event — two locations mean twice the fun!

Let us know your coming! RSVP by clicking Here, or scanning the QR Code above!

📅 When: Saturday, October 25th
⏰ Time: 12 PM – 3 PM
📍 Where:
Carver Museum: 1165 Angelina St, Austin, TX 78702
Carver Branch Library: 1161 Angelina St, Austin, TX 78702

👻 What’s Happening:
Pumpkin Carving Contest 🎃
Costume Contest 👗
Fun Activities, Games, Music & More! 🎵

As a supporting organization, GEAYA would love to see as many of our families join the fun — and we’re also looking for volunteers to help during the event (even an hour makes a difference!).

👉 Interested in volunteering?
Email Coach Lee at [email protected], OR scan the QR Code Above. 

Stop by before your game, enjoy some Halloween fun, and don’t forget — showing up to your game in costume would be a hoot!

GEAYA IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 2025 JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION!

As a proud sponsor of the Juneteenth Celebration each year, we’re inviting our players and families to join the celebration and walk in the parade and represent GEAYA!

• Players: Full GEAYA uniform
• Coaches: Uniform shirts too — lead by example!

Drop-Off Option:

Corner of Comal & Manor Road

• Coach Emaan will be at the corner from 8:00 AM to 8:45 AM
• After 8:45 AM, Coach Emaan will walk with players and families to our official parade spot
• Important: If you’re dropping off your player, please text or share your number with Coach Emaan for check-in and pickup updates

Meet-Up Option:
Corner of Comal & MLK

• Coaches Blaise, Mylah, and Blaize Jr. will hold our spot behind the UT athletes
• If you’re parking at New York Ave. and Pleasant Valley, it’s a 25-minute walk to our starting spot — plan ahead!

Pickup Time & Location:

• Pickup around 12:00 PM (Noon) at Pleasant Valley & Chestnut
• Coach Emaan will stay with all players until they are picked up
• Be sure to share your contact number so we can coordinate as needed

Coach Lee Dawson Jr. Honored for Black History Month at Govalle Elementary

The Greater East Austin Youth Association (GEAYA) is proud to celebrate Coach Lee Dawson Jr., who was honored by the 4th-grade students of Govalle Elementary during Black History Month. In recognition of his incredible contributions to the community, students created a mural thanking Coach Lee and showcasing his dedication to revitalizing Mabson Field, home of GEAYA Baseball and ensuring young athletes have a safe and high-quality place to play.

The mural, which was displayed throughout Black History Month and remains up today, highlights Coach Lee’s efforts to raise $50,000 to renovate the field with new AstroTurf. Before securing funding, he personally mowed the grass and maintained the field daily, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to youth sports and the East Austin community.

Coach Lee expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am deeply honored to be recognized by the students and teachers of Govalle Elementary. Seeing this mural and knowing that my efforts have inspired young minds is truly humbling. This community means everything to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back.”

GEAYA celebrates Coach Lee’s dedication and the students of Govalle for their inspiring tribute!

This is Halloween, this is Halloween...Pumpkins scream in the dead of night...

This is Halloween, everybody make a scene...Trick or treat!

Saturday, October 26th

5:30 PM to 7:30 PM




Givens Rec Center

FREE Halloween Event!
Saturday, October 26 2024

5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

3811 E. 12th Street, 78721

512-974-2430

Sunday, September 1, 2024

The Sandlot Revolution will be having its Labor Day Baseball Banger at Downs Field on Sunday, September 2, 2024 starting at 10 AM with the Red Onions vs. The Dirty Sixers.

Join us!

Sandlot is holding a fundraiser raffle for GEAYA Little League! Stop by and say HI and  buy a raffle ticket!

Game Listings:

• 10 AM Red Onioins vs. Dirty Sixers
• 1 PML Los Monos vs. Meat City Smoke
• 3:45 PM Star Spangled Banner
• 4 PM Yardbirds vs. Tallboys
• 7PM Nightcrawlers vs. Ramblers

Hope to see you there!

Farewell to a Legend: Honoring Willie Mays

Willie Mays, affectionately known as the "Say Hey Kid," is widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players in history. Beginning his illustrious career with the Birmingham Black Barons in the Negro League, Mays transitioned to the National League (NL), where he played for the New York/San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets until his retirement in 1972. Following his playing career, he coached the Mets for seven years and later served as a special assistant to the president and general manager of the Giants.

Here at GEAYA, we honor the remarkable career and contributions of Willie Mays to the game of baseball. After graduating high school, Mays became the 10th Black player to join Major League Baseball (MLB). Throughout his MLB career, he earned two MVP awards and participated in 24 All-Star games, tying for the second-most All-Star appearances in history. His professional baseball career spanned over 25 years—two years in the Negro League and 23 years in the MLB.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Willie Mays for his incredible impact on baseball. He will be deeply missed but forever celebrated.

Monday, May 27, 2024

The Sandlot Revolution will be having its Memorial Day Baseball Bash at Downs Field on Monday, May 27, 2024 starting at 10 AM with the Nightcrawlers vs. The Drag.

Join us!

GEAYA will be raising money selling drinks at the game! Stop by and say HI!

GEAYA’S pitcher, Nico, who plays on the Kanines Majors team will be throwing out the first pitch at 3:45 PM!

Game Listings:

• 10 AM Nightcrawlers vs. The Drag
•  1 PM Smoke vs. Space Cowboys
• 4 PM Grackles vs. Playboys
•  7PM Warbirds vs. Cobras

Hope to see you there!

GEAYA Honored at Sandlot League Labor Day Games at Downs Field

Monday, September 4, 2023

It was a hot Labor Day this year. It was also a great Labor Day for the Greater East Austin Youth Association (GEAYA)! As part of the Austin Sandlot League Labor Day celebration, GEAYA will receive 50% of the proceeds from the Sandlot League's raffle, and GEAYA head coach and coach coordinator Emaan Abdelbaki threw out the first pitch before the 4PM game between the Yardbirds and the Tallboys. 

The Austin Sandlot league is adding up proceeds and will be contacting GEAYA administration with the donation amount. “We’re so grateful and honored to be recognized by the Sandlot League this way,” said Emaan Abdelbaki. “Special thanks go out to Joel Manzo (former GEAYA head coach for Majors Player Pitch) with the Sandlot League Yardbirds and Katherine Smith with the Tallboys for making this happen.” 

“It’s great to know that the baseball community recognizes and sees the impact and value GEAYA brings to East Austin,” said Lee Dawson Jr., Vice President/Commissioner of GEAYA. “Thank you, Joel and Katherine and all the Sandlot League teams!”

We’ll update this post once we receive the amount of the donation.

If you want to see Coach Emaan’s pitch, Click Here! “I’ve never thrown out the first pitch at a game before, I practiced with Nico right before the game, Coach Emaan said. “I got it to the plate!”

 

GEAYA Baseball & Softball Participate in the 2022 Austin Juneteenth Celebration Parade

GEAYA is a proud sponsor of the Austin Juneteenth Celebration each year, and this year we showcased our softball and baseball teams in the annual parade. It was a first for our softball and baseball programs!

Volunteer players and coaches marched in uniform and proudly represented our GEAYA family.

Players got to meet the UT Football Team and BEVO! Hook ’em Horns!

It was hot, but the players kept going and had a great time!