Mr. Floyd “Skip” Branch Jr. is the Director and Founder of the “N.Y.C. Bombsquad Basketball Classic, Inc.” (aka – NYCBBC). Refer to the league’s Background. He has always had a passion for being a mentor to our youth and all whom he comes in contact with.

Skip is a graduate of Brandeis HS in NYC and attended LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, NY. In his recent past from 2011 to September, 2012 he was the Head Assistant Coach of the men’s basketball team at Hostos Community College.

At the HS level Skip was the Head Coach for eleven years of the Varsity “B” Basketball Team at Rice HS prior to the school’s closing in June 2011.

During his tenure, while as an assistant his first year, he helped the Varsity-B team to a championship in 2002.  When he became the Head Coach he took the Varsity-B Team to four championship games. Skip also worked closely with the players and Rice HS to find colleges or universities that were a good fit for the students academically, socially and athletically. In May 2002 Mr. Branch received the Father-of-the-Year award from Rice High School for being a loving and devoted Rice parent and role model and mentor to the kids at Rice.

Skip was also the Head Coach at The Children’s Storefront (an independent school in Harlem) where he coached the Middle School players for three years. In 2010 he led the boy’s basketball team to an undefeated season winning the championship. They played their championship game at Madison Square Garden.  In June 2005 Mr. Branch received the “Children’s Service Award” from the Parent Advisory Board of the Children’s Storefront School located in Harlem for his dedication and mentoring of the youth in NYC.

In October 2006 Skip received the Pepsi Cola Heroes in our Community Award sponsored by 98.7 Kiss FM Radio Station. On June 3rd, 2007 he received the prestigious “Native New Yorker Award” for his outstanding unselfish contribution to the welfare of others and leadership and support in his community from the John Hunter Memorial Camp Fund Inc. This award was presented to him at at the 35th Annual “Bob Douglas Hall of Fame” Luncheon.

Skip’s past basketball experience includes being a team player with the NYC Broadcasting Radio Station WBLS Sure Shots for four years (1981 to 1985), coached by famous radio personality, Mr. Vaughn Harper, as well as, playing in numerous elite basketball leagues and tournaments around NYC and the Tri-State area.

Skip’s past coaching experience includes: Coaching in the Earl “The Goat” Manigualt Walk Away From Drugs Basketball Tournament summer league (2001-2002); the Warriors Basketball League, sponsored by the Children’s Aides Society (2001-2002); the Safe Haven West Side Basketball League (1994-2000); the Ray Diaz Round Ball Classic Metro Swoosh Tournament, sponsored by Nike (1998-2000); and assisted the head coach, Mr. Hinton, in forming the first basketball team at PS 129, Harlem, NY in 1996.

Professionally, Skip worked for six years at Harlem Hospital for the Health and Hospitals Corporation.  He also worked for twenty three years with the NYC Transit Authority as a Bus Operation and retired in 2008.

Skip’s future goal is to continue to provide an alternative environment to keep kids off the streets and to help them focus on their education.  He is a valued role model and exhibits true leadership to the youth and to the community.  Using his 20 years of basketball coaching experience he plans to devote his time to further develop the NYCBBC league in addition to working as a coach and mentor to young people on a full time basis.  He also plans on getting an indoor facility so that the league can operate all year round.