Howard Blue

Howard Blue is an American former college basketball player and high school basketball coach. A four-year starter for the Colgate Raiders from 2000 to 2004, he scored over 1,200 career points and ranks among the program’s all-time leaders in rebounds and field-goal percentage.^[1]

He has worked as Head Varsity Basketball Coach and Director of Academic Support at Georgetown Preparatory School, a Jesuit college-preparatory school in North Bethesda, Maryland.^[2][3]

Howard Blue was born and raised in Washington, D.C., where he attended Gonzaga College High School.^[4] Competing in the highly regarded WCAC, Blue earned a reputation as a strong and versatile forward, known for his rebounding, physical presence, and leadership on and off the court. In 1999, he was named to the All‑Met team by The Washington Post.^[5] His standout performance at Gonzaga ultimately led to a Division I scholarship to play for Colgate University.^[1]

Blue enrolled at Colgate in 2000 and steadily developed into one of the Patriot League’s most reliable frontcourt players. As a senior in 2004, he earned a spot on the All-Patriot League Tournament Team after averaging a career-best 13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.^[4] That season, he helped lead the Raiders to a 15–14 finish under head coach Emmett Davis.^[1][6]

While the team did not replicate the success of its 17–11 campaign in 2001–02, Blue remained a consistent and vocal contributor on both ends of the floor.^[7] He was part of a core group that included Mark Linebaugh and Andrew Zidar, helping to sustain Colgate’s competitiveness within the league throughout his four-year career.

Blue’s collegiate performance is documented via Sports-Reference.com.^[8]

Blue went undrafted in the 2004 NBA draft and did not appear in a NBA or CBA regular season game. He ultimately focused on a career in education and coaching.

After college, Blue returned to Washington, D.C., where he began working in education and youth development. He served as Director of Academics and Athletics at Washington Jesuit Academy. In 2021, he was appointed head varsity basketball coach at Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland. He also serves as the school’s Director of Academic Support.^[2][3]

• The Patriot League featured Blue in a 2003 article after he led Colgate past Navy with a 17-point, 10-rebound performance, calling him a key force in the team’s late-game execution.^[10]

• The Montgomery County Sentinel covered Georgetown Prep’s performance at a DMV Live Period event, where Blue expressed mixed feelings about the win, acknowledging the result while emphasizing the team’s need to improve.

Blue noted that while the team came away with a win, they hadn’t played to their potential and needed to grow from the experience.^[11]

• The Washington Post profiled Georgetown Prep’s strong showing in the IAC/MAC Challenge, quoting Blue: “The IAC is filled with really good teams… It’s like a college atmosphere here in the IAC.”^[12]

• The Washington Post reported that Blue was on leave during Georgetown Prep’s January 2025 IAC opener against Bullis, noting that assistant coach Eric Johnson assumed head coaching duties.^[13]

• ESPN included Blue and Georgetown Prep in its 2024 high school basketball roundup (print edition only), citing the program’s defensive identity and academic emphasis.^[14]

• Sports Illustrated referenced Blue’s leadership in its December 2023 "Winter Prep Basketball Roundup" (print edition only), commending Georgetown Prep’s team discipline and consistent postseason appearances under his guidance.^[15]
• The Morning Call highlighted Blue’s role heading into the 2002 Patriot League tournament, describing him as a physical, dependable presence in the post for Colgate.^[16]

Blue is widely respected for translating the disciplined, team-first playing style of his Colgate days into a coaching philosophy rooted in leadership, academic excellence, and personal growth.^[17] In his coaching roles at Georgetown Prep and Washington Jesuit Academy, he emphasizes empowering student-athletes, encouraging them to take ownership on and off the court.^[18]

Blue emphasized the importance of developing well-rounded young men, not just athletes, saying his goal is to help players become leaders who succeed in life beyond basketball.^[17]

In discussing youth sports, Blue noted that unrealistic expectations from parents and coaches can harm development, and he strives to create an environment where kids can grow without fear of failure.^[18]

• Colgate Raiders men's basketball
• Georgetown Preparatory School
• Gonzaga College High School
• Steve Turner (coach)
• Darryl Prue