Stafford dedicated on and off court

By Megan Spears
Staff Writer

Johnnie Stafford has been playing basketball since he was in the sixth grade. This was his first chance to play for a team, and he instantly fell in love with the sport.
It was this love for the game that brought Johnnie where he is today. Johnnie Stafford, a first-year junior at GC&SU, is the point guard for the Bobcat basketball team. He spent his first two years of college playing for Pratt Community College in Kansas. Stafford made the move to Milledgeville because GC&SU was close to his home in Decatur.
“I was really impressed with the coaching staff and had close contact with Coach Sellers since graduation,” Stafford said. This friendship helped solidify his decision to come to GC&SU.
Stafford also made a huge impact on Coach Terry Sellers.
“Johnnie is a fine young man. He always has a great attitude and spirit,” Coach Sellers said. “He always has a smile on his face and is a very hard worker.”
Stafford has nothing but praise for the coaching staff of the Bobcat basketball team.
“Coach Sellers is very knowledgeable about the game and knows how to coach. He is a good man,” said Stafford. “Assistant Coach David Sokol doesn’t have much to say, but when he finally says something, it is exactly what you need to hear. I really look to him for encouragement.”
The decision to transfer to GC&SU turned out to be a very good one. Stafford is currently in the top five in the Peach Belt Conference in assists and has had 72 assists during his career at GC&SU. He starts at point guard the majority of the games.
“Johnnie has a high assist-to-turnover ratio and cares about helping his teammates score,” said Sellers. “He is a very reliable and unselfish player.”
Stafford has goals on and off the court.
“My number one goal is to graduate college,” Stafford said.
His major is physical education, and he wants to become a basketball coach after graduation. Stafford does not really have time to participate in any student organizations other than a weekly Bible study.
“I strive to be a better person and to grow closer to God each and every day,” said Stafford. “On the court he hopes that the team can grow together. I want everyone to learn their positions and fulfill their roles on the team. Most importantly, I want our team to play hard and to win our conference.”
Low fan turnouts have not affected Stafford’s, will to win.
“I hope that the fans realize that we have a good team and that our fan base grows as the years go by,” said Stafford.
So come out and support Johnnie Stafford and the rest of the Bobcats as they strive for victory at the Peach Belt Tournament.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 8 2002. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry