Steve Joyner, Sr. - Hall of Fame

We asked some of Steve's closest family and friends what makes the coach so special. Here's what they said... 

Narell Joyner - Steve Joyner's Wife

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What is your perspective on the journey from Coach Joyner’s start as a basketball player to his position today as one of the most respected, beloved and influential basketball coaches in the sport?

Steve has always loved basketball and everything that comes with it. He loves to reminisce about watching his older brother, Ray, play high school basketball and the wonderful times he and his brother Buck had playing on neighborhood courts in Winston-Salem. He references Coach “Big House” Gaines a lot. Coach Gaines, the nationally recognized coach at Winston-Salem State University, lived only a few blocks away and was a big influence. 

His career as a coach started as an assistant coach at Virginia Union University with Coach (Robert D.) Moore. He later accompanied Coach Moore to JCSU as an assistant men's basketball coach. He was given the opportunity to become the head coach for the women's basketball program at JCSU and eventually the opportunity to coach the men's basketball program at JCSU. 

During his 35-year stint at JCSU, he has been offered several coaching positions at other universities, but he has remained loyal to JCSU.

How have you watched Coach Joyner affect the lives of his players and other students as a coach and teacher?

Steve spends a lot of time coaching young men on the game of basketball. I have also watched him take students who aren’t athletes under his wing and mentor them. I’m very proud that his mission is to be more than just a great basketball coach. He puts heart and soul into coaching and teaching his players and students about life. Every year is a celebration for Steve when he has the opportunity to observe young men and women walk across the stage and graduate. He knows that education will open the door to a good life. 

How have you interacted with players over the years and how have they become part of your extended family?

We have watched many players, both males and females, enter and depart JCSU. Many of them were away from home, and some players needed more nurturing than others. It just seemed natural to embrace them and enfold them into our family. Some of them have stayed in contact with us over the years and join us for holidays and family celebrations. It has been very fulfilling to watch them mature and have families of their own, which means our family continues to multiply. Even though they aren’t our biological children, we don't just consider them family – they are family.

Talk about your husband as a humanitarian and one who has done good things for others without an expectation for recognition or anything in return.

Steve recognizes that growth occurs in many different aspects of life – physically, spiritually, intellectually, culturally and socially. He has the unique ability to tie day-to-day activities to the big picture of life. He has always believed in giving back, and I’ve watched him do good deeds great and small. Steve won’t just sit on the sidelines if he can help. If he can’t help directly, then he finds someone who can. Not only has he instilled the value of giving back in our children, but he has also instilled that value in his players. He encourages each young man on his team to develop spiritually.  He also involves them with community activities such as Habitat for Humanity and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ tutoring and literacy programs. Steve is a very humble man, and he’s somewhat uncomfortable with accolades. He views what he does as doing the right thing and that’s enough for him. 

Talk about Coach Joyner as a man who loves family and his job as a coach.

My husband loves family, JCSU and basketball, and on any given day, we are all a close match in terms of priority. It was evident from the very beginning of our marriage that I married Steve Joyner as well as JCSU basketball and athletics. JCSU has been an intricate part of our world for 35 years. Our children considered it their second home and our granddaughter, Alicia, at the age of six plans to attend JCSU. JCSU is a part of all of us. Even though Steve gives his all to his players and JCSU, our family knows that we can always count on him to be there for us. 

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Stephen W. Joyner, Jr. - Son and oldest child - Golden Bulls Basketball Player 1997-2001

How did growing up as the namesake of a respected, beloved and influential basketball coach affect you as a player from the time you first started playing basketball through high school?

Growing up as Big Steve’s son has been a positive thing for me. I’ve always been around basketball all of my life, so it’s made my love for and knowledge of the game stronger. If my dad weren’t a basketball coach, I think I would have been a baseball player.  

What made you decide to come to JCSU to play for your father?

My dad never really talked to me about JCSU because he wanted me to make my own decision. It was after my senior year when I decided to attend JCSU. Most people were telling me to get away and go somewhere outside of Charlotte; but I sat back, and one day I thought about how rare it is to have the opportunity to play for your father on the college level. After that, I was done and JCSU was the place for me.

How has your father influenced you as a mentor since you became a coach?

My father’s influence is a part of everything I do and has been my whole life. He has definitely influenced me as a coach and mentor. I catch myself at times standing like him, talking like him, even quoting him on a daily basis. It’s no secret that I walk in my dad’s footsteps. But he has left plenty of sand for me to make my own footprints, and he encourages me to do so.

How has his coaching style influenced your own?

My dad’s style is my style. I’m just flashier, which is probably because I’m younger and he’s a more mature coach. Everything I get pretty much comes from his base. I’ve been watching him coach my whole life. I also played for him and served as an assistant to him. I just pick up different things here and there from him and put my own twist to them.

Are you always aware that you are the namesake of one of the most respected coaches in the sport of basketball and how does it affect you?

It's always in the back of mind that I have a father who is well known and who has set a standard of excellence. Just knowing that drives me to raise that bar of excellence. I know people see what I do as a reflection of my dad. When I want to lose it during games, I hear him in the back of my mind, and it always gets me to relax. I can hear him reminding me that it’s not just about me, but it’s also about the family. I always explain to my team that it’s not just about them, but it’s about the program and even more about the JCSU family.

How has your father impacted the CIAA and other college basketball coaches across the nation?

I think my father has continued a long list of great coaches who have helped black college athletics survive and continue to impact young adults’ lives. I’m proud of this influence he has had on the CIAA and on basketball across the nation. Coaches like my dad don’t just help students become good basketball players, they also help their players become productive men and women. I know that aspect of coaching is what is most important to my father. He cares about the kind of lives they will live after they leave JCSU. 

Talk about your father as a family man and what he means to your family.

Family is a big part of how my father raised my brother, my sister and me. He has always been willing to sacrifice to help put the family in a better position. My dad always stresses to us that you are nothing without family and that you must always take care of family first. I remember when I entered JCSU, he would drive to Winston Salem almost every other day to check on his mother, father and grandmother. This would be on a game day, days of long practices or whenever he needed to go. Watching him do that showed me that you can do both family and work, and you can do both of them well. I have to also say he did that while I was in college, my brother was in high school, and my sister in junior high. We all were also involved in something whether it was my sister in dance or my brother and me with basketball. My dad has shown our family the value and reward of dedication and sacrifice.

Talk about your father as a humanitarian and man who is concerned about others.

My dad does so many things for others, and he never seeks or wants recognition. I would really like to know how many lives he has affected since he has been at JCSU. You have to think about players, students he taught, work study students, fraternity brothers, assistant coaches all the camps he was a part of and more. He’s the best example of a humanitarian that I know!

Say whatever you want to say to your father.

I like to say that I was a mama’s boy, but I became a daddy's man! I love him for everything he has done for me and my family and the sacrifices he has made to set us all up to live comfortable and successful lives. I have never had to look any farther than him to find a role model or to find someone to give me the advice I need. It’s my dream to achieve his greatness – not as a coach but as a man. That’s why to this day, it doesn’t bother me to be called “Lil’ Steve.”  From Junior to Senior: I love you! 

Brian Joyner - Son and second oldest child

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How have you observed your father influence his players and other students as a coach and teacher?

I have observed many players and students soar because of my father’s motivation and will to help them mature. His influence is realized the most when you watch how he always makes his players and the students he mentors reach their maximum potential. When players and students leave him, they are better persons, and they are well-prepared for life’s circumstances. 

What impact have you seen your father have on former players and students as a mentor after they have graduated?

My father still keeps in contact with the majority of his players. Many of them still come to games and often call or come by for advice. Sometimes they just reach out to him for casual conversation. I think the fact that his players and students continue to look to him for advice after they graduate shows the impact he has had on their lives.

How has your father influenced you as a man?

My father has been the biggest influence in my life! He has taught me so much; and even if it took time to learn, I could look back and say that I always heard it first from my father. The best thing about him is that he teaches you so you can understand.  A lot of times he would relate a situation to basketball and that comparison would allow me to grasp everything he was trying to say. I am grateful that he has loved me and given me the confidence and guidance to grow into the man I am becoming as I continue to grow. 

Talk about your father as a family man and what he means to your family.

My father is everything to my family. He really held my family together during trying times when my two grandmothers became ill. He has instilled in my siblings and me the importance of taking care of family. I watched him play a major role in a lot of family members’ lives as I grew up, and he sacrificed a lot to do so. From my grandparents to cousins and aunts and uncles, he helped everybody and still provided the best life and opportunities for his own family. 

Talk about your father as a humanitarian who is concerned about others.

My father embraces life and values all people. If you go anywhere with him in public, he always takes the time to stop and talk with people he knows. He even talks with people he doesn’t know when they start conversations with him. When he sees a need, he finds a way to help. It’s one of the things I admire about him and one of the reasons that he is well-known and well-respected by so many people. 

What do you want to say in tribute to your father for his lifetime of personal and professional accomplishments?

My father has accomplished so much, but I know he can do even greater things. He has touched so many lives and helped so many people that he’s received numerous awards. I know it meant everything to have JCSU dedicate the Brayboy Gymnasium basketball court in his name. That is something that will be around forever, and I see it as one of his best accomplishments. There are levels to everything, and my dad is at the top. WAY TO GO DAD!

Janel Joyner - Daughter and youngest child

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How have you watched your father influence his players and other students as a coach and teacher?

My father has been influential not only to his players but to students all over JCSU’s campus. It is insane the number of people who gravitate towards him. My family has adopted so many people over the years that I'm not even sure how many brothers and sisters I really have. And that's beautiful to me – that people look at my father and hold him in high regard just like I do. 

What impact have you seen your father have on former players and students as a mentor after they have graduated?

Over the years, I have watched my father be a coach, mentor and a father to groups of young men each year. His motivation is not to just create a great team or great basketball players but to nurture the young men who come to him and help them become great adults. He is not a man of many words, but his actions speak loudly and his influence is shown in numbers. 

How has your father influenced you?

My father is a big influence in my life, and he will forever be one of my greatest teachers. My father has influenced my work ethic, my perseverance, my strength and taught me the definition of a man. He teaches me to stand tall in the midst of a battle, to communicate openly, and to never give up or take my eye off of my goal. Lastly, but most importantly, he has taught me to trust in God. He always sings to me "I can't believe He brought me this far to leave me." I always think of that when times get hard on my journey. 

What have you learned from watching your father’s career as a successful coach, teacher, leader and motivator of others as you work with your dance teams?

Although our passions and our sports differ, our desire for excellence and love for what we do is the same. My father has taught me the value of hard work, giving your best at all times and being prepared for great things. He told me how he only made $800 a month in his first assistant coaching job. The moral of his story was that you have to start somewhere, and once you start, you keep running until you know you’re right where you’re supposed to be.

What does your father mean to you?

My dad, is literally my dad! Yes I share him with two siblings, extended family, friends and JCSU. But In my eyes, he is all mine. I think he is hilariously funny, open minded, giving, nurturing and so much more. I know I can count on him, all I have to say is, “Daaaddy, I need you!” 

Talk about your father as a humanitarian and man who is concerned about others.

If my father could save the world, I believe he would. He is a giving man and one who believes in where he came from, where he is and where he is going. Based on his beliefs, he plants seeds – not only financial seeds, but also seeds of wisdom.  "You have to give back," he says. And he does. 

What do you want to say in tribute to your father for his lifetime of personal and professional accomplishments?

I don't have all the words for what I want to say to my father, the best I can do is say:

Dad, I thank God for a father like you. You’ve shown and continue to show me and others the meaning of love. You are the definition of it! Others call you coach, which you are, but most importantly to me, you’re my father.  And I'm forever grateful for just that.

Mark D. Sherrill '92 - JCSU Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach - Golden Bulls Basketball Player 1988-1992

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As a high school player, you were highly recruited by major Division I schools. What is it about Coach Joyner that made you decide that Johnson C. Smith University was the best place for you to earn your degree and play basketball?

When Coach Joyner called me the first time, I told him emphatically that I was not interested in playing for a Division II basketball program. In his calm and fatherly manner, he told me that he understood and started asking me questions about the visits I had taken to major universities. During the course of the conversation, he asked questions about things I had not considered and gave me advice. 

My interaction with Coach Joyner started during a crucial time in my life. I was lacking guidance because my high school coach, Jimmy Graves, had been killed in an automobile accident during the summer. I found myself talking with Coach Joyner more and more to get his thoughts and guidance. He became my long distance friend and mentor. Because of the relationship I had developed with Coach Joyner, my mother said I should visit Johnson C. Smith University.  My friends Ron Boyd, William Bullock and me made the trip. (A year or two later, both of them also enrolled and played on the team.)  

After the initial visit, I made at least three more visits to the campus. I could not figure out why I was even considering this small school, but it climbed to the top of my list. Whenever I visited the campus, it felt like I was at home. After I made my decision to attend JCSU, I heard a lot of comments from many people who did not understand why I turned down the “big time” to play for a small school. What really brought me to JCSU was Coach Joyner and the way he treated me. His honesty, warmth, caring and concern for me as a person touched me profoundly. I decided to play for him because he fostered a family environment and showed a commitment to growing the program. I knew that I belonged here at JCSU with him as my coach.

How did Coach Joyner influence you as a coach and teacher?

Coach Joyner has influenced me the most just by the way he handles himself from day to day. As his record shows, he is a masterful coach. However, he was and still is always a teacher first. He didn’t just teach by words alone or coach just by X’s and O’s. He taught and coached by example. He still does. His guidance as a man over the years has helped me to become a better coach and teacher. 

How has Coach Joyner influenced you as a mentor?

Coach J has been a father figure and a brother figure in my life for years. He has made me a better man. You know a person has influenced you immensely when you name your twins after him (Stephen and Stephanie).  Coach has taught me that life will always have challenges, but I can’t dwell on them. Instead of focusing only on the problem, I need to place my focus on the solution. That alone has served me well professionally and personally.

How does it feel to be considered as part of the Joyner family?

I have been embraced by the Joyner family since 1988. They have made sure that I know I am cared for and am a part of their home. It has been an honor and a pleasure to watch Steve Jr., Brian and Janel grow up and become the wonderful young people they are today. I have always been grateful for the way Coach Joyner and Mrs. Joyner brought me into their extended family. Spending time with Coach J’s parents, grandparents, his brothers and sisters, and his nieces and nephews over the years has given me my sense of belonging as a family member. We have shared moments of greatness and mourned together too. Being a part of such a strong family has been an important part of my life.

Why did you decide to leave your professional basketball career to return to JCSU as Coach Joyner’s assistant? Why have you remained for the past 21 years?

Life in Australia was wonderful. However, when I received the call from Coach Joyner to return and help him get the program back on top, it was a no-brainer. My family – Coach Joyner and JCSU – needed me. So, I turned down my Sweden contract which is where I was headed for six months before my season in Australia would start again. I returned to JCSU and the rest is history. We did take Golden Bulls men’s basketball to another level.  In 2001, we won the University’s first CIAA Championship, the University’s first South Atlantic Regional Championship and made our  first appearance in the Elite Eight national tournament. We also won CIAA Championships in 2008 and 2009. 

I have remained at JCSU as Coach Joyner’s assistant, because I believe in loyalty. I have often thought of Bill Guthridge, who was the longtime assistant to the legendary Dean Smith at UNC-Chapel Hill, and the impact his loyalty and constant presence had on that storied program. I decided that I could be the Division II version of him by successfully assisting Coach Joyner in growing a powerhouse program at JCSU. I believe that I am doing what I am called to do in the place that I’m supposed to be doing it at this time. If God directs my heart to a new venture, I will follow. 

Talk about Steve Joyner the man who has influence among his family, friends and the community beyond being a basketball coach.

It’s hard to put into words what Coach J means to his family, friends and the community. It’s something you just have to experience when you’re around him. It’s amazing to see the love he receives from all who have come in contact with him. Coach J has reached out to and assisted countless people beyond JCSU and the sport of basketball, and he does it without fanfare. He walks the talk. He is a strong man who stands on the cardinal principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift. He continues to be of service without seeking any rewards or benefits in return. This is Coach J!

How has Coach Joyner impacted the CIAA and the sport of basketball over the course of his career?

Coach Joyner has had the good fortune of being nurtured by many of the CIAA greats. He grew up in Winston-Salem and watched the late legendary Clarence “Big House” Gaines build the program at Winston-Salem State University.  Coach Joyner has taken seriously the charge he was given as the torch was passed to him. He has used that light to walk in their footsteps while coming into his own and making a name for himself in the CIAA and Division II basketball nationally. He has served on numerous committees in the NCAA, the CIAA and the Black Coaches Association. Not only has he become a highly respected coach in his own right, but he has also been a great ambassador for JCSU, the CIAA and the sport of basketball.

What do you want to say to Coach Joyner for his lifetime of personal and professional accomplishments?

Coach J, thank you for all you have done and will continue to do for me. This honor of being inducted to the CIAA Hall of Fame is much-deserved and long overdue. I am proud of your accomplishments as a player, a coach, a teacher, a mentor, an ambassador for basketball, and a man. I am honored to be one of your “sons” and wish you much continued success as you transform the lives of the young players and young professionals who are placed in your path. 

Sherrill is JCSU’s second all-time leading scorer with 2,552 points and the first male player to make All-American in the University’s history. He received many CIAA, South Atlantic Region and national honors during his playing career. The final 1991 NCAA rankings placed him as the eighth highest scorer in the nation. He set a school record for most points in a season with 774 during the 1990-91 season. Sherrill is currently the sixth all-time leading scorer in the CIAA.

Columbus “Green Light” Parker, Class of 1994 - Golden Bulls Basketball Player 1989-1993

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What did Coach Joyner mean to you as a coach and teacher?

Coach J was a father figure to me. I respected him, and I enjoyed playing for him. He was not just a coach for me on the basketball court, but he was also a teacher. The way he carried himself and treated us as players prepared us for society. He taught me valuable lessons about life and how to apply those lessons to become a better student, player and man. I would say he was a teacher first and a coach second. 

How has Coach Joyner been a mentor to you since you graduated?

I still see Coach J as a father figure. I talk to him on a regular basis. We’ve formed a true father/son relationship. He is the one I turn to when I want to talk through big decisions, small decisions or any problem I may be having. I know I can trust him. We’ve built that kind of relationship over the years, and it continues to grow stronger. I can talk to him about anything. When I talk with him, it’s not just to go through the motions or to have someone agree with me. I take his advice to heart, and I always consider what he has to say whenever I make my decisions. 

What impact has Coach Joyner had on his players’ lives through the years?

Many former players are still influenced by Coach J, because we have stayed in touch with him over the years. Even players who don’t live in the Charlotte area know he’s only a phone call away. When one of us reaches out to him, he takes the time to really listen. He disciplined us as players, and he continues to do so if he thinks we need it; but he always does it with love and respect. He cares about us, and he wants us to succeed in our careers, in our families, and in our communities as real men. 

How does it feel to be considered a part of the Joyner family?

It is a real honor to be considered a part of such a great family. I’ve been a part of them since my college days. Coach J and I have many similarities. We played the same position for the Golden Bulls, we care about others and we want to be the best we can be. Both of us speak our minds, but we do so with respect and out of love. The Joyner family means so much to me, and I have always been grateful that they opened their arms, their hearts and their home to me. 

How would you describe Stephen Joyner Sr. not as a coach but as a man?

As a man he is well-respected. Because of his high standards, his principles and his character, he would have been successful in any profession. It just so happens that he used his skills, gifts and talents to become a great and influential coach. 

Columbus Parker is the Golden Bulls all-time leading scorer with 2,586 points. Other statistics in his school record-breaking career include: highest scoring average (22.4 points per game), most career free throws made (1,099), most career three-pointers made (354), most single game three-pointers (9), and most points by a freshman (605).  

Kristene M. Kelly, Ed.D. '00

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What is Coach Joyner’s legacy as a coach and teacher?

Coach Joyner’s record speaks for itself. He has the most wins of any coach in JCSU history. However, his wins are a microcosm of what he does for and truly means to JCSU. He also serves as the athletic director, a position he has held for nearly a decade. That is no easy feat to do both things and do them well. Having worked with and for Coach Joyner for nearly seven years, I know first-hand that he respects each person’s area of expertise and is always looking for collective decision-making. It is no secret that he is an extremely supportive Athletics Director.

How has Coach Joyner impacted you as a mentor and leader?

Coach Joyner was about 90 percent responsible for my continued matriculation at JCSU. When I initially arrived, I absolutely hated it. I just knew I was transferring to UNC Charlotte in spring 1997. However, Coach Joyner took me under his wing. He showed me so much about the business of college athletics. He made me feel comfortable in an environment that was so new to a 17-year-old from the islands. He also has a way of getting people to follow him and do their best for him without intimidation.

How does Coach Joyner serve as a model for others as a husband, father, brother, friend and community voice?

Coach Joyner is the epitome of a husband, father, brother and friend. There is not a moment where his wife and children came second. He is a father to three biological children, but he has hundreds of other “children.” I am honored to have been mentored by him. He is a true champion for JCSU, and I am so happy he is receiving this wonderful recognition of being inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame. 

Notable quote:

“Steve Joyner Sr., who is my mentor, took me under his wing and helped me learn the business. He is currently the athletic director at JCSU and longtime men's basketball coach. One thing about Coach J, as he is affectionately known, is that he guides his pupils who have a desire to learn. He immerses them into real-world opportunities so that when they leave, they are able to function as professionals. There is no internship that can teach you that.”

 

Kristene Kelly
Virgin Islands Daily News
January 31, 2014

Kelly, who was named the CIAA Senior Woman Administrator of the Year in 2011 and 2013, is the former Director of Sports Information at Johnson C. Smith University.

Coach Joyner's colleagues give him praise for achieving a place in the CIAA Hall of Fame. 

Natasha Wilson - Associate Athletics Director

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Coach Joyner I've only known you for a short time now but I understand why so many admire and adore you. I look forward to our continued work in advancing JCSU Athletics. Congratulations on your CIAA Hall of Fame induction – an honor well-deserved.

Joli Robinson - Assistant Women's Basketball Coach and
Assistant Athletics Director

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“Each moment of your life is a brush stroke in the painting of your growing career. There are the bold sweeping strokes of one increasing, dynamic purpose. There are the lights and shadows that make your life deep and strong. There are the little touches that add the stamp of character and worth. The art of achievement is the art of making life – your life – a masterpiece.”   

~ Wilfred A. Peterson

Congratulations, Coach Joyner, for being inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame. It is an awesome accomplishment! Continue touching up your masterpiece, because your work is not yet complete.

Steven B. Aycock - Head Football Coach

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On behalf of the Johnson C. Smith University football staff and team, congratulations to Athletic Director/ Head Men’s Basketball Coach Stephen Joyner Sr. on his induction to the CIAA Hall of Fame.

It is truly remarkable that this son of North Carolina, who is a native of Winston-Salem and longtime Charlottean, is being honored in such a fashion. You truly represent the resilient spirit of our University and the City of Charlotte through your coaching and playing experience as a Golden Bull. You are the common man's man, which gives your talents universal appeal. 

You are one of the cornerstones of the CIAA, and you have proved to be one of America's most talented basketball coaches and exciting performers. 

Shenika Worthy - Associate Women’s Basketball Coach

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Coach J, how awesome is this?! Your hard work and effort has paid off, and is still paying off! I am blessed to be able to work with you day-in and day-out. It’s an honor to be a part of your legacy. You are truly a trailblazer! To work hand-in-hand with someone with such honest drive and the will to succeed makes for an awesome environment. This honor is well-deserved, an occasion worth celebrating. Congratulations!

Maurice Raley - Women’s Volleyball Coach

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Congratulations on this prestigious award and accomplishment. You have smashed the mold, and you are an agent of change for the Johnson C. Smith family and community. Thank you for leadership and service to our close knit campus community and all the student-athletes’ lives you have touched over the years. You are a Legacy! May God continue to keep you and bless you.

Kathryn E. “Katie” Hanes-Romano - Head Athletic Trainer

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Coach Joyner, congratulations on your induction to the CIAA Hall of Fame.  This is a very well-deserved honor that we all should strive to reach.  You are an example for us by giving a face to commitment, leadership, teamwork, and responsibility.  There is so much that you teach us on a daily basis whether you realize it or not.  You are the face of our athletic department, and you represent us all well.  Congratulations!

Warren Brooks - Head Softball Coach

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Congratulations, Coach Joyner, on your induction into the CIAA Hall of Fame. I cannot think of a person more deserving of this honor. I commend you for your countless hours of service and leadership to the Johnson C. Smith community and student-athletes. With you as the leader of the Athletics department, we know our best days are in front us and not behind us. Again, congratulations and thank you for being our fearless leader.

William Watkins '99 - Golf Coach

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Congratulations on your CIAA Hall of Fame induction. You are an inspiration to all who aspire to succeed scholastically, athletically and administratively.

Lennox Graham - Head Men's and Women's Track and Field and Cross Country Coach

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For all your exemplary years of contribution to Johnson C. Smith University, the CIAA and NCAA college basketball, I applaud you.  For your leadership of our department, I respect and appreciate you.  For your latest achievement of being inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame, I congratulate you! Through it all you remain humble and true to the student-athletes in your care.  Hearty CONGRATULATIONS "Coach J!" This is a truly deserving award for your excellent service to the CIAA over the past decades.

Jarvis McConneaughey - Bowling Coach

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Congratulations, Coach Joyner!!  This is well-deserved.

Peggy Lide '79 - Cheerleading Coach

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Coach Joyner, best wishes on your induction into the CIAA Hall of Fame. A very successful career continues to thrive. I have enjoyed watching your work all these years. I am grateful for three CIAA Tournament Championships. Golden Bulls fans believe there will be a fourth.

James Cuthbertson - Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach

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Congratulations on your selection to the CIAA’s Hall of Fame. Your knowledge of the sport is immense and your dedication to it is truly outstanding. Best wishes to a more than deserving person. The players are lucky to have a coach with such a broad knowledge of his sport.