For those DCCC students interested in sports and recreation, there is a new athletics director to guide students and improve the school’s athletics and recreation department.
Andrew Johnson, director of
Wellness, Athletics, and Recreation,
takes a break to pose for a photo. (Photo by Joseph Giordano) Andrew Johnson, who started working at DCCC in January of 2009 as the director of Wellness, Athletics and Recreation, has already been hard at work formulating new activities and juggling the logistics of the athletic department.
“I want DCCC to be recognized locally as a great sports and activity center,” Johnson said. “I want the students to be able to experience clubs and recreation during their time here.”
Johnson graduated from Strawberry Mansion High School and went on to attend Mansfield University before transferring to Lock Haven University. He graduated in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in sports administration.
“I played basketball and tennis, and ran track in high school,” Johnson said. “I also ran track while attending Lock Haven.”
Upon graduating from Lock Haven, Johnson worked as a health and physical education teacher at Friends Select School in Center City, Philadelphia.
“I was the sports director for the Lionville YMCA in Exton, Pa. and spent some time coaching and teaching too,” Johnson said. “My eventual goal was to be a college athletics director.”
Johnson has already been implementing new programs for students to generate interest in extracurricular activities.
“I’m trying to start up flag football games and planning to hold a bowling night at the McDade Bowling Alley,” Johnson said.
Johnson will also soon be spending time over in the new science building where a gym will be opened for students.
“There will be a yoga, pilates, and martial arts program,” said Johnson. “Right now, we’re holding those programs in the student lounge, but when the gym opens, we’ll have more to work with.”
Johnson also wants students to understand they have many opportunities to play sports while studying at DCCC.
“Right now, we will be going into our fall season for sports,” Johnson said. “We will be offering co-ed golf, men’s soccer, and women’s volleyball.”
Much of Johnson’s day is spent overseeing the logistics and upkeep of the athletic facilities. “I am never in the office for more than two or three hours at a time” Johnson said. “I am constantly going about campus talking to the athletes and coaches and overseeing the practice areas.”
Johnson will be finishing up his master’s degree from the U.S. Sports Academy and said he will continue to work on improving DCCC’s athletic and recreation facilities.
As far as sports administration goes, Johnson likes the fact that it is an active learning experience. “Sports administration is a growing field” Johnson said. “You are taught with a hands on approach.”
Contact Joseph Giordano at
communitarian@mail.dccc.edu
