As a Chesapeake resident of 25 years, I have witnessed, firsthand, the amount of talent our local sports scene has produced. If you're like me, however, you do not hear about a lot of these athletes until they have left our area and become accomplished. The point of this new monthly column is to reverse that trend.
My name is Brandon Johnson, and, like many who will read this column, I am an avid local sports fan. A graduate from Great Bridge, Class of 2007, I find my interest peaked most by the Southeastern District: it runs in my blood. My father, Gary Johnson, was a three-sport athlete at Deep Creek and drafted right out of "The Creek" by the California Angels. My grandfather, William "Bill" Clark, graduated from Great Bridge, where he played basketball. My brother and other family members also graduated from The Bridge. My sister was part of the first full class to go through Grassfield, where she played volleyball and basketball. Our area is home to my family.
However, the 757 stretches further than Cedar Road and Battlefield Blvd, despite popular opinion, and my goal is to write about athletes from all over our great area. Doing so will require the help of you, the reader. Who better to nominate athletes from our area for the spotlight than the ones involved in their lives daily? Feel free to write or call me about athletes making an impact, not only on the field of competition but in the community as well.
My goal is to write about athletes
from all over our great area
from all over our great area
As far as my sports "resume," I played basketball and golf. I attended the Golf Academy of America in Orlando, where I learned Teaching Professionalism and Golf Course Management. I have coached a fair amount of basketball at Great Bridge Christian, where, through six seasons, I coached Middle School through Varsity levels of competition. I also directed a youth basketball league-Upward-for three years.
When I am not freelance writing, I am helping the community insure their assets. I have worked at Centerville Insurance Agency for five years. Locally owned by Keith and Laurie Miller, our agency has been serving the needs of the community for over 25 years. In my free time, you can find me on the golf course, at a sporting event, or binge-watching the latest "must-see" TV show. I have been married to my lovely wife, Callie, for five years-six in July. We have two pets: a pit-terrier rescue named Lola and a cat, Jefferson-named after the founder of The University of Virginia. My family bleeds orange and blue!
Send all nominations for local athletes
to spotlight to sportswithbj@gmail.com
to spotlight to sportswithbj@gmail.com