“Longevity is what made the difference,” says Johnson C. Smith University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Steve Joyner, on his recent advancement in his quest for the National Championship.
Johnson C. Smith University (27-4), the 2001 CIAA Basketball Champions, will represent the conference and the NCAA South Atlantic Region in the NCAA Elite Eight quarterfinals, at 6:00 p.m. (PST) versus Washburn (27-4) Wednesday, March 21, 2001.
“Many say this is a longtime coming, but I say it is the right time for me and JC Smith University,” says Joyner.
Joyner, a 1973 graduate of Johnson C. Smith Univerity, has coached his entire career in the CIAA, 1973-78 Virginia Union University Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, 1978-80 Johnson C. Smith Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, 1980-87 Johnson C. Smith Head Women’s Basketball Coach, 1987 - present Johnson C. Smith Head Men’s Basketball Coach.
In his career, Joyner has been named CIAA Coach of the Year twice, 1998 & 2001 and NCAA South Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year 1998. In post season action, he took the Lady Bulls to their first NCAA regional, and led the Bulls to four of their six berths to the NCAA South Atlantic Regional.
“I followed my high school coach, Bob Moore, to VUU,” recalls Joyner. “ I played for JCSU, and grew up in Winston-Salem, so winning the first CIAA Championship ever for Johnson C. Smith as well as the NCAA South Atlantic Region in the history of the University is very exciting for me, the players, the former players, fans, and the community.”
What makes the 2001 season different in its outcome, according Joyner is the senior leadership, “I have four seniors and they have withstood the test of time, by coming together for a common goal and remaining committed and focused.”
The fact that Joyner has remained at the helm for the Bulls, by forgoing several offers, also shows a reciprocating commitment to his young athletes. “ I learned a lesson a long time ago, almost every team that I transitioned from went on with a winning season, but may not have won a championship. Angela Hamilton, JCSU’s all-time leading scorer, will never let Coach Joyner forget leaving them for the men’s team and they losing in the 1988 CIAA Championship. That’s one reason Joyner remained with the 2001 Bulls team, “ I felt very strongly if I remained we could win a championship.”
Which proves that great things come to those who endure a golden CIAA ring for a Golden Bull and hopefully a National Championship.