Stephen Joyner, Sr. enters his eighth full season as Johnson C. Smith University’s Director of Athletics, a position he has held since April 1, 2005. Joyner previously served as the University’s assistant director of athletics. He also holds his longstanding position as JCSU Men’s Head Basketball Coach.
“In my role as Director of Athletics, my primary focus has been and will continue to be the day-to-day operations and supervision of the departmental staff, while striving to promote effective communication amongst JCSU faculty, staff, student-athletes, alumni, media, and the general public,” says Joyner.
JCSU has enjoyed unparalleled success under Joyner’s watch. During the 2005-06 season, JCSU won three CIAA Western Division Championships. The Golden Bulls claimed CIAA titles in men’s tennis, women’s basketball, and men’s basketball. In addition to a strong year in the CIAA, two Golden Bulls teams advanced to NCAA post-season competition (men’s and women’s basketball). Men’s and women’s basketball repeated this success during the 2007-08 season and again last season when both teams captured the CIAA Tournament Championship (2008-09).
Along with their excellence on the field, JCSU student-athletes have reached new heights in the classroom during Joyner’s tenure at the helm of the athletics program. Since his arrival, nearly 200 student-athletes have received their undergraduate degrees, half have graduated with honors, and several have gone on to pursue graduate degrees. The Class of 2010 Valedictorian and Salutatorian were student-athletes from the men’s tennis team and women’s track and field, respectively. The Salutatorian has been student-athlete three times from the previous four graduating classes.
During the 2008-09 season, Joyner earned his 400th career coaching victory, his third CIAA Tournament crown (2001, 2008, 2009), and he was named Athletic Director of the Year by the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Currently, in his 31st season as head coach of the JCSU Golden Bulls basketball program, he owns a career record of 540-346.
A native of Winston-Salem, NC, Joyner was the standout point guard for the Golden Bulls from 1969-73. For more than two decades, he has taken the men’s program to unprecedented levels, establishing J.C. Smith as one of the most competitive teams in the CIAA and NCAA DII basketball.
Joyner earned a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Johnson C. Smith University and a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Virginia State University. Joyner and his wife, Narell, live in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their children include Steve, Jr., who serves as the Head Women’ Basketball Coach at JCSU, Brian, and Janel, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and head dance team coordinator at JCSU.