U.S. soccer star Tim Howard joins NJ Tourette Center's Board of Directors

The New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders (NJCTS) is proud to announce the addition of Tim Howard, noted Tourette Syndrome advocate and star goalkeeper of the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, to the organization’s leadership as a member of the Board of Directors, effective October 7.

Howard, a 1997 graduate of North Brunswick Township High School and still a local icon, joins NJCTS Executive Director Faith W. Rice; Board President Tim Omaggio; Board Secretary Rebecca Spar, Esq.; and Board Directors Conrad Roncati, James Levitt, Tim Kowalski and Marc Brummer on the NJCTS leadership team. WFAN-NY Sports Radio personality Craig Carton is an Honorary Member of the Board.

Howard is a longtime supporter of NJCTS and is a renowned advocate for the 1 in 100 kids worldwide who suffer from Tourette Syndrome – an inherited, misdiagnosed, misunderstood neurological disorder. Howard’s strong connection to the TS community dates back 20 years ago, when he was diagnosed with the disorder while in sixth grade.

However, Howard refused to let Tourette Syndrome deny him his dream of becoming a star athlete. At just 15, he already was a member of U.S. youth national soccer teams, and by 18 he was playing professional soccer with the North Jersey Imperials of the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues. He has gone on to have a stellar career as a member of Major League Soccer’s New York/New Jersey MetroStars (1998-2003), the English Premier League’s Manchester United (2003-2005) and Everton (2006-present), and the U.S. men’s national team (2000-present).

While with the MetroStars in 2001, Howard was named the MLS Humanitarian of the Year for his advocacy efforts on behalf of the New Jersey TS community. Now, Howard is excited to continue the work he started more than a decade ago with NJCTS.

"I am honored to join the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders, which has done so much to provide advocacy and support for families,” said Howard, who is preparing to lead the U.S. men’s national team into competition at the FIFA World Cup next summer in Brazil. “NJCTS has changed the course of TS research through the TS Cell & DNA Sharing Repository at Rutgers University and has developed a worldwide reach.  I look forward to working with Faith Rice and the other leadership to establish resources for children and families living with this often devastating neurological disorder."

Added Rice: “We are delighted to welcome Tim Howard, who has been such an instrumental part of our advocacy and awareness efforts over the years, onto our leadership team. Tim deeply cares for the 1 in 100 kids affected by TS, and with his local, national and international impact, the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome will continue to move rapidly toward creating a future unencumbered by TS for generations to come.”

More information about Tourette Syndrome, Tim Howard’s contributions to NJCTS and the organization itself is available by calling 908-575-7350 or by visiting www.njcts.org.