Chad Johnson

Interview of Chad Johnson for the Elizabeth V. and George F. Gardner Digital Library. Johnson discusses his work at the Carlisle Barracks and how sports connects those stationed at the base with the greater Carlisle community. Johnson also discusses how he created a local AAU Basketball team, the Carlisle Rocks, and how basketball can change lives.

0-5 min

Introduction. Facility Manager at Carlisle Barracks. Previously lived in Leesville, Louisiana and Wiesbaden, Germany. Carlisle was more of a family oriented place compared to previous military posts. School systems not as good. The only downside to Carlisle is the weather. Came to Carlisle when he accepted a job from the Army in 2003. Never had been on the East Coast before. Outdoor activities. Discussion of job. Oversee the fitness facility at the Carlisle Barracks. During the evening has programming including basketball, softball, and volleyball. Seasonal for students at the War College. Intermural program. Consists of Lieutenant Colonels , Colonels, Active Duty, and some programs include community members.

5-10min

Provides a good relationship between the military and the community. Carlisle Barracks does not make Carlisle it enhances it. Other military bases make the community. Johnson felt accepted by the community. Work relationship with the community has been great. Position has been the longest tenure of Johnson’s career. Low Crime. Coaching AAU basketball for over twenty years. Coached middle and high school boys and girls basketball in Germany. Starting in Fort Pope worked with on post or local organization to create AAU basketball team. Started AAU team in Carlisle. Held tryouts in March 2004. Use basketball to change the lives of kids. Use basketball as a motivator. AAU program lasted until 2011. Ricardo Smith took over the program in recent years. Most of kids from impoverished areas.

10-15min

Mixture of kids including those on the post. Wide socio-economic backgrounds. Kids from the first team still stay in contact. Planning on having a reunion in the next year or two. Programs hard to establish. In the third year the team started winning and in the fourth year they did not lose. Once the kids see that this is something positive they commit to the program. Generally have a problem with the parents rather than the kids. Was a father figure to some of the kids on the team. Take groups out to eat. Provide rides to games. Key was building relationships. Several kids stick out. One in particular he lost as he was incarcerated. Still bothers him. Coached over 120 kids during his time in Carlisle in the AAU program.

15-20min

One kid posted on Facebook that Coach Chad was his biggest mentor. Many others chimed in agreeing. Made him feel good that he was able to help them. Before Johnson started the AAU program there was no local Carlisle team. Closest was Mechanicsburg. Still goes to AAU tournaments and is recognized by other coaches and older kids. Current coach Ricardo Smith doing a great job. Was able to get enough sponsorship to fund the program. Parents quickly embraced the program. Became a babysitter where parents could take a break for two hours. The Sertoma Club was a big contributor. Received their volunteer of the year award.

20-25min

Johnson asked for an exception to allow for civilians to join the athletic competitions in order to increase overall participation. Provided a league for local residents. Has to be approved by the Garrison Commander. Jumped from 4-5 teams to 10 teams. Soldiers enjoyed it which is the mission of Johnson’s job. Not that many soldiers in Carlisle. Sports are a way for soldiers to unwind after their duties and missions. In Carlisle, civilian involvement improved solider moral and also allowed for those who stay on post to meet the community without having to leave the post.

25-30min

Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina was another great community. Cumberland County has its unique spots and is why Johnson is still here. Being in Louisiana he used to leave his door unlocked and he occasionally forgets and everything is intact. Does not have to worry too much. Brings prior experiences with him that inform his current role. Experiences growing up in Louisiana have helped quite a bit in Carlisle. Basketball in the South is not as big of a sport. Never the best player growing up but knew the sport well. Baseball was Johnson’s best sport but learned how to coach basketball in the South. Accomplished a lot but still that feeling that he could have done more.

30-35min

Think about the kids who he was not able to reach out to successfully. Basketball can have a transformative role. Kids star struck walking into large hotels. Many are not able to go on vacation so basketball was there first experience traveling.  Developed trust with parents as well as kids. Initially the program was a second job and the funding came from Johnson. Did not charge the kids. Instead had fundraisers. Going back it would have been preferable to have more sponsorship. Did not know the area or the network system initially. Took a couple of years to learn. Never had a major sponsor but the Sertoma Club was a great sponsor.

35-40min

When Johnson first started the AAU program he wondered where was the community support. After a few years people began to recognize him and the support was more forthcoming. In Carlisle, Johnson had to build the program from the ground up. In other areas the foundation was already there and it was a matter of taking over an established program. Believed in the press and in motion. Did not win a game in his first year of AAU. Losing by 30-40 points. In the second year improved slightly. Might have won a game. Third year they placed. Bought into the system at this point. Worked hard in the offseason and in the fourth year they did not lose a game. One of the best teams Johnson had ever coached. The players believed in him so he had to believe them. Hard coach. Have to work year around to get better.

40-45min

Have to be willing to work outside of basketball and go the extra mile. Have to do things at home as well as at practice. Hard thing for Johnson to stay on them day in and day out. But knew they had potential. Couple of players went on to play basketball in college and a third had offers. Basketball was second to academics. Could not get into trouble at school or they would be suspended from school. Could not get into trouble with their parents. Basketball team was the Rocks. If you were a part of the Rocks AAU Basketball you had to hold yourself to a high standard. Some players just required a little guidance others required more guidance. Tell him stories about things they got up to on the trips that he had no idea about.

45-48min

Snuck out while traveling despite monitoring the halls and checking their rooms. Laugh about it know in their mid-twenties. Parents who had younger children use to ask him to come out of retirement to coach. Only reason to leave Cumberland County would be family or an unmatched opportunity. Is now his second home.