The Charles R. Johnson Memorial Track and Field Scholarship is now in its 10th year. Due to the generosity of the Sachem Community the organizers have been able to award scholarships to some of Sachem’s finest student-athletes from the Sachem North and Sachem East Boys and Girls Track and Field Programs.
A little about Charlie in the Classroom: In the Summer of 2006, the Sachem family lost a legend. Charlie Johnson was a 29-year veteran of the district who impacted the lives of countless individuals both in the classroom and on the track. He began his career as a member of the modified curriculum team at Seneca Junior High School. Many students were fortunate enough to be greeted each day by his smile, quick quip and his classic “Goooood morning students!” Charlie’s passion for teaching and compassion for his students left an indelible mark at Sachem.
A little about Charlie as a leader: Charlie was a highly respected leader amongst his colleagues and peers within the Sachem faculty. He served as the eighth grade modified team leader at Seneca and later served as the first Social Studies Department Chairperson of Samoset Middle School after reconfiguration. Throughout his teaching career, he coached cross country, winter and spring track. This is evident today in that many of the coaches in both the North and East boys and girls cross country and track programs were coached by him and mentored by him.
Charlie as a person: “Throughout his Sachem career, he coached within in the cross country, winter and spring track programs at both the middle and high school levels. Coach “J” always had a special place for his kids. He guided some of Sachem’s finest trach and field athletes with the same passion and dedication that he bestowed upon his kids in the classroom. He demanded from them their very best because that is what he gave in return. He earned several high honors for his coaching and was often selected to coach the Section XI Track Team as it competed in the N.Y. State Championship Meets. You never heard about the awards he won because he wanted his athletes to get praise as he was always self-conscious when it came to personal achievement.” — John Horst
“Charlie gave me a great hello when he saw me every winter practice day in the years we coached at North. We shared small talk about our teams and I always felt better about the coaching world and the world in general after our chats. I know Charlie had this effect on everyone – especially on his students and athletes. Charlie would have enjoyed the under the lights middle school athlete showcase over the past two weeks.” –Alex Young