Recognized
by many as the father of what is today's Florida Classic, Lloyd "Tank" Johnson helped
lay the foundation for the Bethune-Cookman athletic department as a player,
coach and athletic director.
A
1958 graduate, Johnson served as athletic director from 1972 to 1991, His visionary
leadership oversaw the Wildcats' ascent to Division I and partnership with
Florida A&M's Hansel Tookes in laying the groundwork for the Florida
Classic, which made its debut in Tampa in 1978. The archrivals had met to
capacity crowds at Florida State University, Daytona International Speedway and
Orlando, the current site, prior to that.
Johnson also served as a defensive
coordinator for the Wildcat football team from 1961-78 in addition to coaching
track and field in the days where coaches would oversee multiple sports.
He was named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic
Conference Hall Of Fame in 1995 and is also included in several addition
halls of fame, including the 100-percent Wrong Club of Atlanta.
As a student, Johnson was on the Wildcat
football, basketball, track and golf teams in 1952-54. After a two-year stint
in the army he returned to B-CC in the fall of 1956 and competed in football,
golf and track for the next two school years before graduating with a
bachelor's degree in physical education in 1958.
Johnson also served on the City of
Daytona Beach Planning Board.
He passed away in 2012.
