FSU Celebrates Black History Month with FSU Trailblazers

During the month of February, Fayetteville State University Athletics will share important figures from its rich history of student-athletes, coaches, and administrators that has paved the way for alumnus, current, and future students to be “Proud to Be” Fayetteville State University. 

View bio highlights of former coaches and student-athletes such as Jerry C. Johnson, Lauraetta J. Taylor, William “Gus” Gaines, James T. Burch, Elorine Hill, Frederick Bibby, Dianthia (Morris) Ford-Kee, Raymond McDougal, Thomas L. Reeves, James Godwin, James “Jim” Bibby, Concetha “CC” Smith, Andre Springs, Chekimbrell Jefferson, James Wooten, Sylvester “Junkyard Dog” Ritter, Eric Tucker, Dr. Moses Walker, and Kenny Phillips. 

Former Fayetteville State University Head Football Coach Kenny Phillips was selected a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) 2021 John B. McLendon Hall of Fame Class, the conference announced on January 12.

Phillips will be among six inductees, whose accolades within the conference span over four decades, to include Cassie King (North Carolina Central University), Johnny Stoutamire, Jr. (Livingstone College), Greg Toler (Saint Paul's College), Celeste Trahan-Davis (Elizabeth City State University) and Johnnie Walton (Elizabeth City State University).

The late Kenny Phillips was a record-setter for the Broncos with the longest tenure as the head football coach for 13 seasons (2000-2012). During this time span, Phillips posted the most wins for the program with 75 wins and a .543 winning percentage while accumulating a 57-35 record in CIAA play.

The Broncos won its first CIAA title under Phillips in 2002 (his third season at the helm) since joining the conference in 1954, after beating Bowie State 17-14. He made it back-to-back titles in 2003 after defeating Virginia Union 23-19. Fayetteville State won its third title in 2009 with a 21-10 victory over Bowie State.

Phillips guided FSU to a total of four CIAA Championship Game appearances (2002, 2003, 2004, and 2009) and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs three times (2002, 2003, and 2009).

During his overall coaching career, Phillips won five conference titles and appeared in three bowl games.

Phillips collected several coaching honors and awards during his time as FSU's head coach. In 2002 and 2009, he was named the CIAA Coach of the Year and was also honored as the Most Outstanding Coach of the 2002 CIAA Championship game. He has coached a total of 101 All-conference performers, three CIAA Rookies of the Year, two Defensive Players of the Year, and two Special Teams Players of the Year athletes.

Kenny Phillips passed on October 23, 2015. He is survived by his two daughters, Kendra and Kennedy.

The CIAA recognizes inductees for their excellence in the conference, significant contributions in the community, leadership within CIAA athletics, and commitment to the conference mission.

Dr. Moses Walker started Fayetteville State as the assistant men's golf coach and assistant professor in the Department of Business Administration in 1970 and advanced to the head of the golf program in 1972.

At the helm, he would become one of the greatest coaches in the men's golf program and start the Broncos on its winning ways.

Walker guided the golf team to seven straight CIAA Golf Championships (1976-82). The CIAA recognized him ten-times as the Coach of the Year (1973-1982). Coach Walker coach and guided an unofficial women’s team at Fayetteville state as interest in the sport began to increase.

Walker stepped down as the head coach of the men's golf program at the end of the 1982 season but made a return in 1986. FSU captured another CIAA Championship Title in his return season and was named Coach of the Year. Coach Walker retired from coaching in 1989.

In 1995, Dr. Moses Walker was inducted into Fayetteville State's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Eric Tucker led Fayetteville State women's basketball from 1992-93 until 2008-09. The Broncos went on to three CIAA Championship appearances and five NCAA post-season berths. Within that time, FSU won 299 games, a 2001 CIAA Championship, and five Southern Division titles.

In 2007, Tucker’s .632 winning percentage ranked him 39th among NCAA Divisional II National Leaders for coaches.

Coach Tucker earned two CIAA Coach of the Year honors in ’93 and ’94 and the conference named him the 2001 Tournament’s “Most Outstanding Coach”.

In Tucker’s 17 seasons, FSU had a total of 19 All-CIAA student-athletes, 10 All-Tournament honorees, nine All-Rookie Team members, a Rookie of the Year, and a CIAA Tournament MVP.

Sylvester "Junkyard Dog" Ritter, a Wadesboro, North Carolina native and alum of Bowman High School, was an anchor on the Fayetteville State offensive line as a guard and tackle. He was named to the All-NAIA team his freshman, sophomore, and junior year. In 1974, the senior lineman was named to the All-CIAA football squad and selected to the All-Star football team as an offensive tackle-guard.

In 1975, the 6'5 268lb senior was signed by the NFL's Houston Oilers as an offensive guard. Ritter was cut due to an unfortunate knee injury and played a couple of years for the Green Bay Packers before ending his professional football career.

In 1977, Ritter made his wrestling debut in Tennessee and worked for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling promotion in Canada. He then moved to Mid-South Wrestling to become the wrestling icon "Junkyard Dog" known for wearing a dog collar with a heavy silver chain. With his frame and build, Sylvester was surprisingly quick on his feet which led to numerous victories as the Mid-South Champion and Mid-South Tag Team Champion.

Ritter joined the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 1984 where fans instantly fell in love with his signature finishing maneuver; a power slam called the "Thump". He was also known for his vicious head butts.

In the late-1980s, the Junkyard Dog moved to the National Wrestling Association (now known as the World Championship Wrestling). He won the 1991 WCW Six-Man Tag Team Championship. He retired from the ring in 1993.

On June 2, 1998, Ritter was involved in a single-car accident that claimed his life at 45 years old.

Sylvester Ritter, the “Junkyard Dog”, was inducted into the 2004 WWE Hall of Fame.

James Wooten, a native of Goldsboro, North Carolina, was a physical education major and one of the fastest men in Bronco history.

During his freshman year, Wooten earned the 1974 All-American track honor after placing fifth in the 220 dash event with a time of 21.2. Athletes had to finish in the top six in the finals of their events to qualify for All-America. He was tied for second in the CIAA as a 100-yard sprinter with Johnson C. Smith's Herb Carmichael (9.4). Fayetteville State's James Godwin (9.5) and Melvin Draper (9.6) ranked behind them.

In 1975, the CIAA voted Wooten as the "Most Outstanding" individual. He also received the "Most Valuable" honor for men's track at the Fayetteville State University's All-Sports banquet.

The junior track 100-yard sprinter had an outstanding season in 1976. Wooten had a 200-meter victory in the NCAA Division II meet with a time of 21.4 at Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. He placed first in the 100-yard dash (9.8) and the 220 dash (21.3) at the South Carolina State Relays in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The defending champion of both events was voted "Most Outstanding." While setting a meet record in the 220 dash with a time of 21.3, Wooten broke the former All-Pro wide receiver Bob "Fastest Human" Hayes' record. He won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) 100-meter title 10.54 and the 200-meter title with a time of 20.7.

Later that year, Wooten was invited to the Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon. His Olympic mentor Walter Johnson, a former Olympian under North Carolina Central's coach Dr. Leroy Walker, had tremendous confidence in Wooten. "James has a great chance to win the 200 at Eugene. If James is in a confident mood, and the whole thing is mental when you get right down to it, he won't be intimidated by guys like Houston McTear, Steve Williams, or Ray Robinson in the 100." Wooten finished fifth in the Olympic 200m Quarterfinals with a time of 21.15.

In 2013, James Wooten joined the Fayetteville State University Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Chekimbrell Jefferson, a three-sport (volleyball, basketball, track & field) all-conference athlete from Scotland High School enrolled at Fayetteville State University and became a dual-sport legend after a red-shirt year at East Carolina.

After her first season at FSU, Jefferson was named the 2007 CIAA Player of the Year with a posted 474 kills, 103 blocks, 110 digs, and 63 service aces while leading the Broncos to its first CIAA championship since 1998. She was also voted the tournament's MVP and named to the All-CIAA team as a middle hitter.

In her first year ever playing competitive tennis and under the tutelage of her volleyball/tennis coach Elorine Hill, Jefferson posted an 11-7 record at the number six singles position, a 10-6 record at the number three doubles position, and earned first runner-up for both positions at the 2008 CIAA Tennis Championships. Jefferson was named the 2008 Tennis Player of the Year and All-CIAA.

In addition to being recognized athletically as the Broncos Female Student-Athlete of the Year at the 2007-08 end-of-year awards ceremony, Jefferson was an academic honoree for maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 or better.  

Jefferson was named the 2008 CIAA Volleyball Player of the Year and All-Tournament, for a second consecutive season, with a season-high 481 kills. She ranked first in the conference in hitting percentages (.351) and kills (3.48 per set).

By the end of her senior year, Jefferson earned her third volleyball CIAA Player of the Year (2009) and All-Tournament honor. 
 

Andre Springs, a native of Charlotte, NC who has been golfing since the age of 13, made an immediate impact in the sport when he arrived on Fayetteville State’s campus in 1976. 

The freshman phenom, who previously attended West Mecklenburg High School, was the first-ever freshman to win the CIAA Golf Individual Champion with a two-day score of 78-75—153. Springs earned NAIA All-American and All-CIAA honors and Most Outstanding Freshman, at the Broncos annual athletics banquet.

Springs would later earn All-CIAA and NAIA All-District 26 honors in 1977 and ’78. He finished third in a sudden-death playoff in ’78 for a fourth All-CIAA honor.

After graduation, Springs entered a mini tour for several years before becoming the head coach of the golf team at Livingstone. His program defeated the Broncos in the CIAA Championships three times. The Blue Bears won in 1985 and had back-to-back titles in ’87 and ’88. He won the CIAA Coach of the Year award in ’87 and ’88.

Andre Springs would coach Livingstone to six CIAA titles before departing LC to become the General Manager of the Cleveland Golf Course in Cleveland, Ohio. He would later return to Salisbury to lead the Blue Bears to two more championships in 2015 and 2018. He was named CIAA Coach of the Year again in 2015.

Concetha Smith, a physical education major, was a native of Norfolk, Virgina and an alum of Granby High School.  

The three-time All-CIAA performer (‘81 - ‘83) and two-time CIAA Player of the Year (‘82 & ‘83) was the conference’s top scorer with 626 points (in 1983) for an average of 27.2 points per game, ranking third in the nation.  She averaged 20 points per game for both her junior (1981-82) and sophomore (1980-81) seasons.  

She was once honored as the NAIA District 26 Player of the Week in 1982 while averaging 19 points per contest and at the end of the season named to the All-NAIA D-26 Team.  

The Voice sports staff named Smith the Lady Bronco of the Month for the month of January 1983. In nine games, Concetha scored 265 points for an average of 29.4 points per game. In addition to her points, she grabbed 70 rebounds, dished 39 assists, and had 60 steals. During the month against Elizabeth City State, Smith scored a career high 43 points to establish a new Bronco record. The feat was her second 40-point performance of the year.  

She joined her teammate Sheryl Drayton on page 48 of the April 25, 1983 edition of JET Magazine. For all of her efforts in her senior season, Smith was named to the Kodak All District III Women’s Basketball Team. She received 75 votes by the National Association for Women’s Sports to make the '83 All-American Team. 

Concetha Smith was named the Bronco Athlete of the Year at the 1982-83 All Sports Banquet. She was also a member of the softball team. 

James “Jim” Bibby arrived on the Fayetteville State campus with a basketball scholarship and a passion for baseball. He disliked basketball but was forced to play because he was the biggest thing in Franklinton (NC) at 6-5 and approximately 200 pounds.

His older brother Fred, a Bronco All-CIAA standout, laid the way for his younger sibling.

Jim had skills on the court, but he made his name on the baseball mound.

Jim saw little time on the court through the regular season as the 11th man. He received the ’65 Intramural’s Most Outstanding Player trophy for a 32-point 36-rebound game. Bibby did have considerable time on the baseball field.

James Blair Bibby signed with the New York Mets as an undrafted free agent after his junior season on July 19, 1965.

The Broncos discontinued the baseball program in 1978. He will be the only player from FSU to reach the major leagues.

Bibby, a right-handed pitcher, had a 12-year baseball career where he pitched from 1972 to 1984 with the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and Pittsburgh Pirates, with whom he was a member of its 1979 World Series Champions. He pitched a no-hitter against a team amid a three-year dynasty. Also, in 1981, as a member of the Pirates, he missed out on a perfect game by just one hit, allowing a lead-off single, before retiring the next 27 batters he faced.

Bibby earned his bachelor's degree in health & physical education from Lynchburg College in 1980. His first coaching job was with the Durham Bulls immediately after the conclusion of his playing career in 1984. He was the pitching coach for the Carolina League's Lynchburg, Virginia ballclub from 1985 to 1999. He served the franchise beginning when it was affiliated with the Mets and through parent club/name changes in 1988 (Red Sox both) and 1995 (Pirates/Hillcats). He was honored by the Hillcats in 2002 when his uniform number 26 was the first one retired in the city's baseball history. He spent the 2000 minor league season in the same capacity with the Nashville Sounds but retired from coaching after his contract was not renewed.

Dianthia (Morris) Ford-Key, a native of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, was a dual-sport student-athlete at Fayetteville State University. She played major roles as a member of the 1979 CIAA Basketball and 1982 Softball Championship teams.

Dianthia was a basketball All-American candidate and a three-time All-CIAA and All-Tournament honoree (1979, 1981, & 1982).  She was named MVP of the softball championship tournament.

As a senior forward, she ranked second in scoring at a 17-point clip while pulling down 12 rebounds per game.

As a freshman, in 1979 she was one of FSU's leading scorers for the CIAA tournament.

Since graduation, Dianthia Ford-Kee has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success with her softball and volleyball programs. Her team members have won NCAA national statistical honors, CIAA Divisional Titles as well as NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. Her team won the CIAA Softball Championship four times (1993, 1994, 1996, and 2003) and the CIAA Volleyball Championship twice (1993 and 1995). Ford-Kee was named CIAA Softball Coach of the Year in 1993, 1994, 1996, and 2003 and Volleyball Coach of the Year 1996 and 2001. The 1994 softball team has gone undefeated in the CIAA and 1994 compiled an overall seasonal record of 30-9. She earned her 100th softball coaching win against DI George Masson in 1994. Ford-Kee led Shaw to a volleyball conference record of 196-61 and an overall record of 247-158. Softball conference record of 121-37 and an overall mark of 309-207.

Dianthia (Morris) Ford-Kee was inducted into Fayetteville State University’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997 and a 2016 inductee into the CIAA Hall of Fame and Shaw University’s Athletics Hall of Fame.

Frederick Bibby, while attending Fayetteville State University, was not only a superior athlete amongst his peers but also a triple threat. Bibby played basketball and baseball while also running track and field for the Broncos.

Fred Bibby was named All-CIAA in 1963 and again in 1964, where he averaged 23.1 points and 18.1 rebounds per game in his senior season. In January of 1964, he once ranked 11th in rebounding among the NCAA small colleges of the nation with an average of 17 rebounds in five contests.

In his senior year he was named captain for both the track and field and basketball team and was also named to the All-American team in 1963-64. Frederick was considered one of the most prolific scorers of his time- along with his deceptive rebounding abilities that placed him second in the conference.

In the '64 season-opener against Saint Augustine's, Bibby pulled down a Bronco record of 32 rebounds and ended the game with 19 points.

Bibby was inducted into the Fayetteville University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998 for his outstanding play in basketball and baseball and for his outstanding academic achievement. He was later enshrined into the CIAA John B. McLendon Hall of Fame in 2013.

When Fayetteville State University defeated Shaw University on October 17, 2007, the victory gave Head Coach Elorine Hill her 300th career win.

Since volleyball became a varsity sport in 1979, Coach Hill became the only volleyball coach to post 300 career wins. The milestone was a prelude to her induction into Saint Augustine's Athletic Hall of Fame on October 19, 2007.

Coach Hill coached the Broncos to eight CIAA Championships during her 17-year career at Fayetteville State.  In volleyball, FSU won in 1996, 1998, and 2007. The Broncos brought home women's tennis titles in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007.

She garnered seven CIAA Coach of the Year accolades; four volleyball and three tennis. Hill coached three tennis players and rookies of the year with 18 singles and eight doubles champions. She coached 47 volleyball all-conference student-athletes and two players of the year.

The Lady Broncos won the inaugural CIAA Women's Tennis Championship and a berth in the NCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic Region.

Coach Hill was an outstanding student-athlete while at St. Augustine's College. During her collegiate career, Hill was a three-time All-American, national champion in the shot put, District 26 champion, and a member of St. Augustine's track teams that won the CIAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships and the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships.
 

James T. Burch, affectionately known as “Jim”, was recently inducted into the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame as a 2019 honoree on March 1, 2019 during the annual CIAA Basketball Tournament.
 
Burch was a 1949 graduate and valedictorian of Fayetteville State University and a two-sport student-athlete, who played football and baseball. He would later serve his alma mater as a board of trustee member and he established the James T. Burch Scholarship to recognize student-athletes who exemplify the qualities of academic excellence, involvement in public service, and love of athletic competition.
 
Jim Burch is well-known in the CIAA for his near 60-year service as a basketball official and Coordinator of Basketball Officials. Burch began his career as an official in 1959, breaking down many barriers in officiating during a time of segregation and integration. He was a trailblazer becoming the first Black game official in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 1969. Throughout his career, Burch has officiated in the CIAA, ACC, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), and Southern Conference (SoCon), and has worked 14 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournaments. He retired from his position as CIAA Coordinator of Basketball Officials in June of 2018.
 
Burch has been inducted into several halls of fame, including the CIAA Officials, MEAC Officials, North Carolina High School Athletic Association, Southern Conference, and South Athletic Conference.
 
His enduring legacy will be the hundreds of young basketball officials he worked with, trained and mentored over the years and the Broncos the James T. Burch Scholarship has supported.

The arrival of William A. "Gus" Gaines at Fayetteville State marked the beginning of its greatest era in athletics. There had been winning programs, but the Gaines' winnings are without a doubt, the best in Broncos' history.

Gaines began his career as a athlete in Mamaroneck, New York where he lettered in five sports (football, basketball, baseball, track, and wrestling). His best sport was football where he starred as a fullback, tackle, and kicker. A product of the LeRoy Mills Football Kicking School, Gaines was one of the top drop-kickers and punters in New York.  He was named Most Vaulable High School Athlete in 1940.

The Fall of 1940 found Gaines among the Eagles at North Carolina (Central) College. he made an immediate impact, winning All-CIAA honors as a tackle. He followed this with berths on the All-CIAA squad in 1941 and 1942. He was named All-American in 1941 and 1942 as a tackle and fullback. The 1941 season saw the Eagles play Morris Brown for the National Championship. One of the highlights of his career also occurred during the 1941 game against arch-rival North Carolina A&T. Gaines drop-kicked three field oals and an extra-point conversion to help the Eagles to a 16-12 victory over the Aggies. That same year, he helped the Eagles, under Coach John McLendon, to the CIAA Championship.

Like many of his peers, his education was interrupted in 1943 when he was called into the military. During his tour of duty he played football on the division teams and won All-Army honors as a fullback.

Upon graduating in 1945, Gaines was named head coach and athletic director, and head of the health and physical education department at Fayetteville State Teachers College by Dr. J.W. Seabrook. He had to revive all of the major sports programs that had been dropped due to the war effort. The nucleus of the women's basketball team was in place. They proved to be champions and posted a 13-1 record.  They were named women's champion among Eastern colleges, with their only loss coming at the hands of Shaw University.

Gaines established himself in coaching circles, defeating several of the powerful CIAA and SIAC teams. The men posted a 22-8 record, including wins over Delaware State, Johnson C. Smith, and Bethune-Cookman, all in one week. 

With the reorganization of the Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (EIAC) in 1947, he guided the Broncos to the EIAC Tournament championship five straight years. The 1948 Broncos were 29-7 for the year. They followed this with a 34-9 record in 1949 and won the EIAC a second time. After the 1949 season, Gaines turned the coaching duties for the Broncettes (women's basketball) over to Coach Lauraetta Taylor. She went on to become the greatest women’s coach in Fayetteville State history. 

The 1950 Broncos were 36-11, and won their third EIAC title.  The 1950-51 season was extra special for the Broncos. They won both the football and basketball championships. They also set a college basketball record by winning 44 games. (This record has stood for 45 years.) There was another historical event that occurred that season. Under the auspices of the National Athletic Steering Committee, Black Colleges had been granted a bid to the NAIA National Championship Tournament for the first time. The terms for participation required Black Colleges to choose a champion from among the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The Black College Tournament was held in Nashville, Tennessee. As EIAC Champion, Fayetteville State was invited to be one of the first Black schools to participate in the challenge for the NAIA Championship. 

The 1951-52 year was a repeat performance for the Broncos, as they won both men’s titles for a second straight year. The Broncos were undefeated in league play. To this point, Gaines had guided them to victory 88.4 percent of the time. Using a fast-break offense, Gaines turned the Broncos into a scoring machine that was nearly impossible to stop. 

1953 was a transitional year for the Broncos, as they made the move into the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). They proved to be competitive in basketball, but struggled severely in football. The Fall of 1954 saw Gaines suffer his first losing season, going 3-5-1 against stiff CIAA competition. Still, the Broncos played most teams close. They defeated the powerful Pirates of Hampton 12-8 and gained the respect of the members of the conference. The basketball team faired much better, posting a 29-7 record. While they did not challenge for the CIAA Tournament crown for several years, their arrival was far from quiet. 

After several competitive years, the Broncos finished fourth in the conference in 1957 and placed third in the CIAA Tournament.

Miss Lauraetta Janet Taylor was a successful head coach and assistant professor of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Fayetteville State University.

Born April 30, 1916 in Charlotte, she succumbed on March 6, 1977 in Fayetteville at the age of 61.

She attended Barber-Scotia College (Concord, NC) and received the B.S. degree from North Carolina A&T State University. Miss Taylor obtained the Master of Arts degree from Columbia University and furthered her studies at Yale and the University of Pittsburg.

She came to FSU (then known as Fayetteville State Teacher's College) in 1944 and served the institution over 32 years, chiefly as an instructor and women's basketball coach.

Coach Taylor was named the CIAA Coach of the Year in 1974-75 when her team finished with a sparkling 18-2 mark.

Her teams won over 90 games during her coaching career at FSU while dropping only 15.

Although FSU women's team did not participate as a varsity club before the early 70's, Miss Taylor had already guided her teams to a 43-3 record against outside competition.

Her teams participated in every CIAA Women's Tourney (Runners-up twice) with the exception of the last season.

Miss Taylor's best season was 1975-76 when the Broncos piled up a remarkable 18-1 CIAA regular season worksheet. Her teamed advanced to the CIAA Women's Tourney Finals at Winston-Salem walloping St. Paul's 106-46 and edged Norfolk State, 76-72, to meet Shaw for the Championship Trophy.

However, the Broncos blew a 15-point halftime lead and fell 82-77 to the Bears.

FSU (18-2 overall) also advanced to the finals during the 1974-75 campaign at Petersburg, Virginia before bowing to St. Augustine's, 56-54.

The Broncos finished the 1977 season with a 14-7 mark. 

Miss Taylor worked in many areas and served in many capacities during her lifetime. Prior to coming to FSU, she taught in the public schools of Wilson and Tarboro, North Carolina. At FSU, she served the University as a dormitory director, teacher, women's basketball coach and on many important committees.

For years, she served as Chairman of the Social and Recreation Committee, and Chairman of the Homecoming Committee at FSU. Miss Taylor was affiliated with many scholarly and professional organizations and served as a member of the Fayetteville Recreation Board. 

The Lauretta Taylor Gymnasium was built in 1969 at a cost of $618,000 and was named in Coach Taylor's honor. It was previously known as the Women's Gym.

Jerry C. Johnson, who led LeMoyne-Owen College to a historic Division III national championship in 1975, passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2020 at the age of 102 years old.

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Johnson was a football player at Fayetteville State University who learned the game of basketball from North Carolina Central's former men's basketball John McLendon who is a two-time Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and recent recipient of the NCAA Theodore Roosevelt Award.

Jerry Johnson retired in 2005 as one of only six NCAA coaches over the 800-win plateau.  He coached 821 victories in 46 basketball seasons at LeMoyne-Owen. He was the first black basketball coach to win a Division III national title. LeMoyne-Owen became the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to win a national title and remain the only men's basketball college program in the state of Tennessee, and the only sports program from the city of Memphis, to win an NCAA championship.

Johnson is a member of the Fayetteville State Athletics Hall of Fame, the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Hall of Fame.