Griffin Howard Class: Senior Hometown: San Diego, Calif. High School: Mission Bay H.S. Height / Weight: 6-1 / 190 Position: Midfielder

Returning fifth-year player will serve as one of three captains this season along with junior Andreas Forstner and sophomore Greg Martin • granted a fifth year of eligibility after missing the 1998 season with an ankle injury • coming off an outstanding season a year ago as he emerged as one of the squad’s top players and a true team leader • has overcome injury and worked extremely hard to put himself in position to have an outstanding season • became a scoring threat for the Irish a year ago and will look to become more involved offensively this season • strong long passer and an outstanding player in the air • along with teammate Andreas Forstner gives Irish a strong defensive presence in the middle of the defense • prior to last season, had seen limited action in his first three seasons.

AS A SENIOR: Finished the 2000 campaign as the team’s fourth-leading scorer with four goals, while starting 16 of 17 games • his only missed start of the season was against Villanova • scored his first three goals of the season on penalty kicks • tallied his fourth goal of the season on a penalty kick in 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh when he blasted a shot from the top of the box off an assist to Chad Riley at the 53:27 mark of the contest, giving the Irish a 2-1 advantage in the contest • scored his first collegiate goal off of a penalty kick in 2-0 win over New Mexico in the season opener which was Notre Dame’s first goal of the season • scored lone Irish goal in 3-1 loss to Bradley on a penalty kick at the 76:05 mark of the contest • his third goal of the season came off a penalty kick against Cleveland State in 2-1 win when he netted the contest’s first goal at the 53:00 minute mark.

AS A JUNIOR: Played in only two games in '99.

AS A SOPHOMORE: Missed the 1998 campaign following ankle surgery.

AS A FRESHMAN: Played in five games during the '97 campaign saw action in his first collegiate contest against Indiana.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Four-year letterwinner at Mission Bay • had best season in his final scholastic campaign when he tallied 15 goals and dished off 16 assists • earned first-team all-Western League honors as a junior and senior and was conference player of the year in final scholastic season • was a first-team all-California Interscholastic Federation honoree and CIF Division III player of the year • two-time all-county selection • member of the Nomads Soccer Club that won four straight state championships • traveled to France with team in the summer of 1994 • participated on United Kingdom Tour with same squad in August of 1996 • brother Brooks played soccer at Humboldt State • ranked second in graduating class of 300 • member of National Honor Society • Dean’s List student who earned a 3.704 grade point average during each of the last two semesters • two-time member of the BIG EAST Academic All-Star team as he was named following the 1997-98 and 2000-01 school years • honorable mention selection to the NSCAA North Central Region Scholar team • born Feb. 1, 1979 • graduated from the Mendoza College of Business Administration with a degree in accounting in May of 2001 and is pursuing a master’s in accounting.

Howard's Career Statistics

Year	GP-GS	Sh	G	A	Pts	GW
1997	5-0	1	0	0	0	0
1998	DNP - injury
1999	2-0	1	0	0	0	0
2000	17-16	16	4	0	8	1
Totals	24-16	18	4	0	8	1