ETTRICK, Virgnia -- The Virginia State University Athletics Department would like to welcome new Head Cross Country/ Track and Field Coach, Wilbert Johnson, to the Trojan Family.
"I feel wonderful being a new addition to VSU Athletic," said Johnson. "The opportunity was there and I sought it, so I think it will be a wonderful year. Since I know some of the student-athletes personally, it has been a very smooth process."
Johnson comes to VSU with a wealth of knowledge after coming off of several great seasons at Virginia Union University.
In his 7 seasons at VUU, Johnson made history by collecting 3 consecutive men's cross country champions. Along with securing numerous top 3 finishes on both the men's and women's side in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field; Johnson guided countless student-athletes to the All-Conference and All-American list. In 2015, Johnson made VUU history to have the first female to be a NCAA Division II National Champion after she dominated the 60M indoor dash.
His dedication to the sport earned him 3 consecutive CIAA Coach of the Year honors.
Being known to combine the talents of old and new student-athletes as well as develop methods to have a successful season, Johnson is on a quest to move the Trojans in the right directions.
"I look to bring additional pride to the cross country/ track and field programs as well as update the sprints and distance corps," expressed Johnson. "Hopefully bringing in additional student-athletes from other schools will help us move forward."
Prior to his time at VUU, Johnson was the Assistant Track & Field Coach at Florida A&M in Tallahassee, FL. During Johnson's tenure at FAMU, he coached and assisted the men's team to several MEAC Indoor and Outdoor Championships. He also coached countless regional and national qualifiers.
Johnson reached back to his high school alma mater, Blanch Ely High School in Pompano Beach, FL, to build a powerhouse program for 10 years prior to his collegiate coaching career.
Although born in Sanford, NC, Johnson was raised in Pompano Beach, FL. He is a Florida Memorial University graduate and a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
The VSU Trojans are eager for the upcoming seasons that Coach Johnson will be leading.
"I am very pleased to have Coach Johnson to join our staff and he will do a fantastic job," said Athletic Director Peggy Davis. "His work ethic is unbelievable and his professional and leadership guidance for the student-athletes is impeccable."
The Trojans began their indoor track and field season on December 4 at the CNU Holiday Invite in Newport News, VA. VSU will return to action on January 7, 2017 for the Father Diamond Invite in Fairfax, VA.
For more information on Coach Wilbert Johnson and the VSU track and field programs, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
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