Greater East Austin Youth Association

WELCOME TO GEAYA

The Greater East Austin Youth Association (GEAYA) is a volunteer organization established in 1975 to provide organized and structured sports activities for the economically disadvantaged youth of East Austin.

Since its inception, GEAYA has remained committed to providing quality programs for boys and girls in our community. In addition to offering a safe and fun environment for competitive participation, our mission is to instill and reinforce strong values such as teamwork, respect, discipline, and sportsmanship in every child we serve.

GEAYA welcomes donations.

If you would like to support GEAYA, please make all checks payable to:

Greater East Austin Youth Association
1307 Greenwood Ave.
Austin, TX 78721

We also extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors for their continued support of GEAYA and the youth of East Austin. We encourage our families and community members to support these businesses whenever possible.

FOUNDER/FORMER PRESIDENT GEAYA

James Howard

(1935–2025)

We Will Miss You Coach Howard!

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

Mr. James Howard (1935–2025) was 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 lives on in every game, every team, and every player who takes the field.

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 serve 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 programs and scholarship opportunities 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 laid a foundation that continues today. Hundreds of East Austin youth now participate annually in programs he helped build.

“This is a big loss for GEAYA,” said Lee Dawson Jr., President of GEAYA. “Mr. Howard had a huge influence on my life and encouraged me to step up and serve 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.”