One-on-One with Charlene Johnson

Charlene Johnson has been South Carolina State University's athletic director since 2005 and her association with the school spans 25 years. An Allendale County native, Johnson played a key role on S.C. State's 1979 AIAW national championship basketball team. She has been an S.C. State volleyball and tennis head coach, and an assistant basketball coach. Away from work, Johnson enjoys spending time with her husband Virgin and children Taylor and Trey and likes to watch sporting events and HGTV. While fielding ticket requests for S.C. State's game at South Carolina on Saturday night, she spoke with The Post and Courier's Gene Sapakoff.

I'm guessing you didn't go around as a kid saying, "I want to be a college athletic director when I grow up."

"The thought never crossed my mind growing up. But after being at South Carolina State and being a Health and Physical Education major, I knew I wanted to coach and I kept thinking that as I matriculated through college."

What is it like being one of the only women serving as an athletic director in college sports?

"When I was first named interim athletic director back in 2004, it was like I was kind of thrown into the water, sink or swim. Then being exposed to the folks in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference -- all the coaches, athletic directors and commissioners -- you learn a lot in a hurry. Having coached and being the first female on the (S.C. State) staff at the time, I had a lot of early training. So by the time I advanced to being athletic director, I had already had a baptism by fire. And I really didn't have too much time to think 'Oh, gosh, I'm a female.' I just had to roll up my sleeves and go to work."

You've had such a well-rounded background -- playing basketball at S.C. State, coaching basketball, coaching volleyball and tennis. Do you call on those experiences a lot?

"Without a doubt. When a coach comes in here and gives me stories about what they need and what their requirements are, I can go back to my experience as a coach and really ask them pertinent questions. They can't pull the wool over my eyes because I've been there, done that. The myriad of jobs I have had certainly helps me."

What about the S.C. State athletic department's progress since you became athletic director?

"That's a tough question for me. That's like, 'How do you think you look when you look in the mirror?' When I look in the mirror, I make sure I don't have crazy spots all over my face or to see that my hair isn't all wild. But when I look back, I really think we have progressed. We were faced with some pretty tough issues early on when I took over. With the issues around Title IX, I think we have continued to provide opportunities for women. Yet maintaining your men's programs is so very important. We have done some things facilities-wise: Put in artificial turf, added a new video scoreboard, put in a new gym floor and we have newly renovated men's and women's basketball locker rooms, and just finished a renovated football locker room with brand new state-of-the-art lockers. We've had great support from the board of trustees and everyone in the university family. They realize how important an athletic program can be to a university."

S.C. State plays South Carolina on Saturday night. How much does it mean to your alumni and fans to have games at South Carolina and Clemson?

"I think it provides a great camaraderie within the state. Not just at South Carolina State but at South Carolina and Clemson, too. We still have people talk about the games we have played and what great relationships were developed -- between the bands, the cheerleaders, everyone. And, of course, it does help us financially. We don't have to travel and so the guarantees go almost all in the bank."

Is there any chance S.C. State will bring back baseball?

"In the very near future I don't see that because of the cost associated with it. But I never say 'never.' With a tough economy we have to maintain where we are."

All-time favorite book?

"My husband is a pastor and he thinks I should read more of the Bible. But I really find the book of Psalms in the Bible very encouraging. That's my favorite book of the Bible. I can't say the NCAA manual is my favorite book, but I do read it a lot."

Four people, living or dead, you would like to have as dinner companions?

"Well, I would love to have dinner with my father. He was killed in an accident when I was 5. Naturally, I would love to have dinner with the president of the United States and his wife. And I would like to continue having dinner with my mother. She raised two kids. Both of us went on to college. My brother is an engineer at the Savannah River Site. To be the strong person my mother continues to be, I'd love to keep having dinner with her for years and years to come."