A pioneer in Masters swimming in the Houston area, Emmett served for more than 23 years on five different USMS committees and was a major figure in the development of masters swimming at the regional level. In 1980, Emmett founded a Masters swim team which grew into the largest in Houston, at times having over two hundred members. He was named USMS Coach of the Year in 1993. The success of his team was due to Emmett's personality, his expertise in coaching, and his superior knowledge of swim training and technique as well as his emphasis on social activities. One of the early Gulf LMSC meet directors (assuring meets were professionally managed and fun), he also promoted open water swimming in the area by holding open water workouts and events which were immensely popular within the entire region. The open water swims brought new members into the Gulf LMSC.

Emmett served as Gulf LMSC registrar and top ten chair, for which he was awarded the Dorothy Donnelly Service Award in 2014. He promoted Masters swimming on the national and international level through his writing and speaking; two of his books on Masters swimming have been translated into four foreign languages.

Emmett’s life passion was promoting the sport, coaching, teaching technique, speaking at clinics, publishing inspirational articles, and volunteering. He truly impacted USMS at all levels. Emmett brought the joy of swimming back to many burned-out age group and college swimmers. His team members were extraordinarily devoted to him and credit him for kindling (or re-kindling) a love for swimming.