Missouri State University

DR. CHARLES “CHIC” JOHNSON
Gymnastics Coach, 1969-79
Inducted May 10, 1984

Chich Johnson started the SMS varsity gymnastics program in 1969 and his teams went on to win every state and regional AIAW Championship from 1972 to 1979, finishing among the top ten Division I teams in the nation seven times.  SMS was second in the national meet in 1976, sixth in 77, third in 78 and fourth in 79, with a total of 11 athletes earning All-American honors under his tutelage.  He was selected as head of the United States delegation to the 1978 Tournament of Champions in East Berlin and also was the delegation head in the World’s Gymnastics Championship in Strausbourg, France in 1978.  Johnson received his baccalaurate and master’s of science degree from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass. He earned his doctorate from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City in 1969.