Howard University was founded in 1867. Deborah King Johnson arrived from the South Bronx 100 years later, starting an ongoing Bison journey of learning, teaching, coaching, advising, fundraising, developing curriculum and handling administrative duties.
“I’ve had a few firsts,” said Johnson, Howard’s faculty athletic representative and a professor in the Health, Human Performance & Leisure Studies department. The list includes serving as the first female chairperson of HU’s Athletic Advisory Committee (1985); first female Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Faculty Athletic Representative (1994); and the first minority on the NCAA-FAR executive committee.
She’s also served as Howard’s interim athletic director (1994-200) and coached the Bison cross country, indoor track and lacrosse teams. Her physical education degree has served her well, though some of the requirements seem onerous by today’s standards.
When Johnson came to Howard in 1967, she was required to attend “activity classes” four times per week – earning zero academic credits – while also taking classes that totaled 15 credits. Students in her program studied in their academic courses and applied the knowledge in physical activity classes such as volleyball, swimming, basketball, etc.
Despite the heavy workload over four years, Johnson never lost confidence in her chosen career path. “It was always to teach,” she said. A full-time opportunity arose during her senior year when a dance instructor left Howard to work on Broadway.
Johnson began teaching activity classes immediately after graduating. She has taught 21 such classes at Howard, including horseback riding, fencing, roller skating, archery and gymnastics. Her dedication was evident when she gave birth in 1976. Instead of taking maternity leave from coaching, Johnson took her daughter to fencing matches. “We would go to the University of Maryland and all those other places and beat them,” Johnson said.
Johnson is left-handed, so the techniques she taught inadvertently blocked right-handed competitors. Her unique coaching techniques caught the attention of opponents and received praise from fellow coaches.
“Some of it was self-taught and some of it just came naturally,” she said. Howard’s physical education program, rigorous courses and detailed instruction prepared her to teach and play almost every sport.
“We knew teaching sports and activities inside and out,” she said. “We basically made our own book.”
Recent Howard grad Niara Wilson visited Johnson’s office on many occasions. She said Johnson’s passion bleeds into her work and daily interactions with students and staff.
“She’s such a warm person, who really wants her students to do well,’ Wilson said. “You can tell by the way she runs classes and makes herself available for students.”
Donovan Moore is entering his second year as the academic advisor for Howard athletics. He said his interactions with Johnson leave a mark because her wisdom and experience motivate him to excel.
“The stories don’t really do her justice to be quite honest,” Moore said. “Just being in her presence and being around her motivates you to want to have a higher level of care for the students.”
Johnson said her career hasn’t been a chore. “It’s never been work, it’s been fun,” she said.
Over 50-plus years as a professor, Johnson has seen hundreds of students graduate and begin careers in sports. They work in stadiums and arenas and front offices for sports teams. Many of her former students stay in touch.
“I never thought that I would ever be here that long, counting the years,” she said. “But I have .. the main reason is the students.”
Inducted into Howard’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016, Johnson’s legacy is secure. Her ambition and kindred spirit have helped keep the athletic department running for 54 years, but it hasn’t been a chore.
“It’s never been work,’ she said. “It’s been fun.”
Kelsie Jarrett is a senior journalism major and political-science minor at Howard University from Nashville, Tennessee.
