Hawk Athletics mourns the passing of Hall of Famer Gorman Johnson

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PRINCESS ANNE — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Department of Athletics mourns the passing of Hawks Hall of Famer Gorman S. Johnson Jr., who was laid to rest Friday, September 30 at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Glen Burnie, Maryland.

The Baltimore resident was a workhorse pitcher at then Maryland State College where he was a Physical Education major and a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

Johnson Jr., or “Ju Ju” to family and teammates, was a four year starter for Maryland State and went undefeated his first two seasons in 1966 and '67 as a pitcher. He led the Hawks to two CIAA titles those same years. He was so reliable that he led the team in innings pitched each season he played and was known for once winning both ends of a double header in 1969. As a freshman, he was also on the track team.

He graduated in 1969 and went on to work in the Anne Arundel County Public School System as a physical education and health teacher for more than 30 years before retirement. Never straying too far from the game he loved, in his spare time, “Ju Ju” enjoyed watching baseball, especially his beloved Atlanta Braves and playing baseball in the Chesapeake Independent League (Chicken League) with the Davidsonville Clowns and Dorsey Stars.

He was inducted into the Hawks Hall of Fame in 2012 and was represented by former teammate Larry Brogdon.

His son Gorman Johnson III “Boog” played baseball at Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Delaware State from 1997-2000 and is currently a part-time instructor at the dugout, a baseball and softball training facility in Elkridge, Maryland.

Johnson is survived by his son (Boog), daughter-in-law (Kianna), brother (Elroy), sister-in-law (Linda), daughter (Tammy), son-in-law (Arbrey), grandchildren (Tiffany, Maya, Zahria & Zachary) and nephews (Damian (Holly) & Dane (Yolanda).

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