Joseph B. Johnson had a distinguished career as a university administrator. He served as executive assistant to the president at the University of Colorado in the early stages of his career, was Grambling’s president from 1977-91, and wrapped up his career as the president at Talladega College.
But ask him about his career, and he first will bring up his playing days with the Grambling basketball team — and an unofficial honor he proudly explains.
“I played with Bob Hopkins, and Bob was the nation’s leading scorer,” Johnson said. “I was the quarterback of the 1955 team — I was to Grambling’s championship team what Bob Cousy was to Boston. If Bob Hopkins was the nation’s leading scorer, then I must have led the nation in assists, because somebody had to pass him the ball!
“We always laugh about that. At that time they kept points, but they didn’t keep stats for assists like they’re keeping right now.”
Johnson was one of 15 people inducted Saturday into the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame. He first came to Grambling to play basketball in 1954, and played his first three seasons under legendary coach Eddie Robinson, who coached several sports in addition to football while at GSU.
The 1955 Grambling basketball team scored more than 100 points in 10 of its games — a rarity in an era before the shot clock and the 3-point line — on its way to capturing a conference championship. The high-scoring, fast-breaking team set the standard for the great Grambling teams that followed a few years later, including the 1961 squad that won the NAIA national championship.
“We really started fast-break basketball at Grambling with the 1955 championship team,” Johnson said
READ THE REST: Former school president Joe Johnson gave Grambling hoops an assist, too
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