Northern Vermont University–Johnson hires Alfred Johnson as new Head Basketball Coach

Photo Courtesy NVU-Johnson Athletics

Northern Vermont University–Johnson and NVU Badger Athletics are excited to announce that Alfred Johnson has been named as the next Head Men’s Basketball Coach / Assistant Athletic Director for the Badger Men’s Basketball program.

Coach Johnson comes to the Badgers from Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina where he was the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach as the lead recruiter and assisting in all basketball operations.  Prior to ECSU Coach Johnson was the Head Coach from Valley Forge Military Academy where he coached 3 All-Region 19 selections players, he was the Head Men’s Coach for Manor College 2014-2016 where he lead the program to their first ever NJCAA Championship game and coach the school first All-American.  He was the Camp Director and Site Supervisor for the Philadelphia 76s Basketball camp for 10 years and had a stint at Holy Family University where he held the role as Men’s Basketball coach and Assistant Athletic Director from 2003-2010 where he coached 17 All-Conference players, a player and rookie of the year.

When asked about his thoughts on coaching the NVU-Johnson Men’s basketball team Coach Johnson said, “I am excited to become the new Head Men’s Basketball Coach and getting the opportunity to teach and mentor an outstanding group of student-athletes, preparing themselves to win on the court and represent the University in every aspect of their daily interactions.”

Greg Eckman, Interim Director of Athletics, believes Alfred will be an incredible addition to the NVU-Johnson Athletic Department.  “Alfred has years of experience leading basketball programs, graduating his players and making a difference in the life’s of those he’s come into contact with.  We are extremely excited for him to bring his experience and professionalism to the Johnson athletic department.  I know Coach Johnson will continue the incredible tradition of the men’s basketball program here at NVU-Johnson.”

Coach Johnson had this to say when asked about joining the Johnson athletic staff, “Not often do Coaches get the chance to have shared duties as an Assistant Athletic Director. Because of this opportunity, I am overjoyed in joining the Badgers Athletic staff and learning from an experienced, tight-knit and family oriented staff whose work for the betterment of the student-athlete is 2nd to none.”

 “As a Division III program, NVU-Johnson is loaded with everything a potential recruits and their families would want in their college experience. Great majors, small class-room setting, wonderful facilities, a caring athletic department and for these reasons I very much wanted to be a part of the NVU-Johnson campus environment.”

Coach Johnson states; “My favorite things about being a Coach is the daily interactions with student-athletes who I get to mentor, teach and watch develop into people whose impact on the world is amazing to see from a first-person narrative. Each of us has a personal ministry, coaching is mine. I get to assist in the daily growth of student-athletes, whose brilliance is still being un-covered.”

Coach Johnson has earned many awards through his career.  His highlights include, being named 2004-05 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference( CACC) Coach of the Year, 2004-05 Philadelphia Area Small College Basketball Association Coach of the Year, 3rd All-Time Winningest Men’s Basketball Coach at Holy Family University, Coached programs first All-Americans at Germantown Friends School (Jonathan Haynes, 1990), Holy Family University as a NCAA Division II member (Michael Sturns, 2008), St. Mary’s College of Maryland ( Sheldon Taylor, 2001) and Manor College as a NJCAA member (Thomas Farrior, 2016). Also recruited and  coached CACC Rookie of the Year, (Justin Swidowski, 2009).  Only Player (1979) and Coach (1989) to win conference championships at Germantown Friends School. 

 When we asked Coach Johnson about those who have influenced him throughout his career, Coach shared this with us, “my favorite Athlete was a young man I grew up with in Philadelphia.  Timmy Claxton, who played at Germantown High School and Temple University. He was the best shooter I ever saw. Died young of a rare heart disease. My favorite Coach was John McLendon. Coach McLendon was the first African-American Coach to win multiple championships, as a Coach he invented/ installed the fast break and the four corner offense. He was a coach who believed in the education of his players among all other things.”

Looking forward to some good meals here in Vermont, Coach Johnson’s favorite food is Seafood, mainly Shrimp and Pasta.

https://www.nvubadgers.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/releases/20210701kfkrcr

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