(Courtesy of JCSU Athletics)
Hampton, VA — Johnson C. Smith University director of athletics and head men’s basketball coach, Stephen Joyner, Sr., is one of the seven new members inducted into the elite John B. McLendon Jr. Hall of Fame. The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association® (CIAA) made the announcement on Friday, January 17th. A formal induction ceremony will be held at the 2014 Hall of Fame Breakfast on Friday, February 28 at 9 a.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Joyner Sr., a Winston-Salem, N.C. native, is in the midst of his 27th season as head men’s basketball coach at JCSU. Joyner’s success in basketball began at Atkins High School where he was the second leading scorer on the 1969 undefeated North Carolina State 4-A Championship Team. After a stellar high school career, Joyner became the star point guard for the Golden Bulls from 1969-73.
After a stint as an assistant coach at Virginia Union University, he received his first head coaching position with JCSU’s women’s basketball team in 1980, building the Golden Bulls into one of the CIAA’s most competitive programs. He guided the women’s team to its first appearance in the NCAA South Atlantic Regional Tournament. After compiling a 92-87 record with the women’s team, Joyner took over as the head men’s coach in 1987. For almost three decades, he has taken the men’s program to unprecedented levels, establishing JCSU as one of the most competitive teams in the CIAA. His career coaching record as head men’s coach is 476-287.
Throughout his 26-year tenure as head men’s coach, Joyner has collected numerous accomplishments during his career. In 2000, his team finished fourth in the CIAA, third place finishes in 1991, 1993 and 2003, and second place finishes in 1992, 1998, 2002, and 2006. Coach Joyner has captured the CIAA Tournament Championship in 2001, 2008, and 2009. He was selected as the CIAA Coach of the Year and (1992, 1997, 2001) and NCAA Division II South Atlantic Region Coach of the Year in 2001.
In addition to Joyner, the CIAA inducted the following individuals for their contributions to their respective institutions: Anthony Boggan (Saint Augustine’s — Men’s Basketball), Lawrence “Peaches” Coleman (Saint Augustine’s — Men’s Golf), Harold Deane (Virginia State — Men’s Basketball), Clifton Huff (Livingstone — Track and Field), Dr. Walter Lovett, Sr. (Virginia State — Football), and Bob Moorman (Hampton/CIAA — Football and Administration).
“We are pleased to honor these individuals for their outstanding accomplishments as head coaches, former student-athletes and administrators,” said Jacqie Carpenter — CIAA Commissioner.
The CIAA recognizes inductees for their excellence in the CIAA, significant contributions in the community, leadership in CIAA sports and commitment to the CIAA mission. The induction is part of the 2014 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament events taking place February 25 — March 1, 2014 in Charlotte, N.C. Individual seats and tables of 10 for the Celebration Breakfast are now on sale and can be purchased by calling (757) 865-0071. Net proceeds from the CIAA Tournament and its sanctioned events go to its 12 member-institutions for scholarships for student-athletes and the student body at-large.