Livingstone College Athletics

Livingstone College class of 1976 is a special class and members of this class have done excellent things in life.  Livingstone College in my opinion was one of the causes of me meeting life long friends, having a good job career, having a family,  being able to retire at 62 years of age, and having a positive attitude.  Being inducted into the Livingstone College Athletic Hall of Fame for Tennis, well I feel is a blessing. This is the Lord's work. I am deeply honored and feel proud.
 
Tommy Lee Johnson, also known as “TJ”, by friends and family, was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina.    While attending Myles Park High School, he excelled both academically and athletically, becoming sixth in State for the high jump, as well as, all-county and all-conference in basketball.   Eventually, letters from college and university recruiters began to come in for both basketball and track and field.  Although Tommy wanted to go to college, he knew how important it would be to work to help his mother and his four other brothers. While those offers from other colleges and universities faded away, his hope for attending college, would not.   This would be the day that his mom, Orean, received a knock on her door from his former high school guidance, Mr. James Robert White, a Livingstone College graduate.

This would be the day that his life would change forever.  This would be the beginning of his first page, in his next chapter of life.  Tommy, would entered Livingstone College in the fall, of 1978, and walk the grounds under the Maples and Oaks, majoring in history and social studies, meeting new friends, but also pursuing his passion and love of basketball, which eventually earned him the Freshman Athlete of the Year, and over the next three years he became one of the leading scorers and rebounders, playing the position of guard.   Maintaining a GPA 3.4 each semester, Tommy would pledge Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc., his Sophomore Year, inspired by his future fraternity brother, Mr. James Robert White, his former high school counselor, Livingstone College graduate, and the person who recruited him to Livingstone.

Teaching for a while in the Mecklenburg School System, Tommy eventually found his interest to be in the area of electronics and has worked for W.B. Moore for 16 year as a Senior Electrician.  Tommy has coached Little League baseball, coached youth basketball, has volunteered in local shelters and has provided complimentary electrical services to elderly community members, in need.  Tommy has four children, and family means everything to him.

The bricks and mortar,  of this HBCU, called Livingstone College, helped shape the man he is today, allowed him to foster friendships, showed him how to accept defeat, but also understand that winning can eventually come when you work hard, show patience and humility.
Tommy says tha.

“Being inducted into the Livingstone College Hall of Fame is an honor and to be among the ranks of other outstanding Livingstone College athletes, as well as those being inducted today, speaks volumes.  There are many words that come to mind, in describing the feeling that I have…energized, overjoyed, excited, including….is this really happening to me, right now?  But most of all thankful!  Thankful to God and thankful to Livingstone College, for being a beacon of light in my path, and setting an academic standard for a kid trying to find his way.  Thank you again, for this honor.”