ST. PAUL, Minn. – Throughout the duration of the spring semester, cspbears.com will feature its spring senior student-athletes who had their careers cut short due to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), providing a glimpse into their past, present and future to our followers who were unable to see them compete in 2020.
Due to the ongoing changing legislation with college athletics related to the COVID-19 pandemic, spring student-athletes are expected to retain a year of eligibility. Some of the CSP seniors have expressed interest in returning for the 2020-21 academic year with the goal of competing for their full senior year. Since it's early in the process, cspbears.com will not differentiate between seniors who will and won't return and instead will profile each senior consistently.
Today's featured student-athlete in the senior spotlight series is right-handed pitcher
TJ Johnson of the baseball team. A mathematics major from Hinckley, Minnesota, Johnson is expected to complete his bachelor's degree in just three years.
On the diamond, Johnson has made three appearances on the mound for the Golden Bears, including a pair this season. In total, the right-hander has worked 2.0 innings and struck out one.
Head coach Neil Lerner on TJ Johnson:
"TJ has been a very valuable member of our team over the past three seasons. His work ethic is top notch as shown by him receiving his undergraduate degree in just three years. His work in the weight room and with our pitching coaches has been outstanding and has led to him improving significantly as a pitcher. TJ is an outstanding teammate whose actions and commitment are a great example to the rest of our team."
TJ JOHNSON – IN HIS OWN WORDS
CSP: At what age did you start playing your sport?
TJ: I started playing baseball when I was six years old.
CSP: Why did you choose to attend Concordia?
TJ: I chose to attend Concordia because of the coaching staff that made Concordia a place that sounded very much like home.
CSP: What is your favorite memory as a Golden Bear?
TJ: My favorite memory as a Golden Bear is all the long road trips that we were able to spend together as a team.
CSP: What will you miss most about CSP?
TJ: I will miss the people and being able to consider myself a part of a team.
CSP: What are your plans after graduation?
TJ: I'm considering options including returning to CSP.
CSP: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
TJ: I see myself at a job (related to my degree of math in some shape or form) that I really enjoy doing that allows me to also spend time with my family. I hope to continue to play town ball and still find ways to keep myself as involved with the game as I possibly can.
CSP: Who is a staff or faculty member at Concordia that left an imprint on your experience?
TJ: I would like to think that Coach Walsh really had an impact on my life. He was always there to lift my head up while also not being afraid to say what I was doing wrong. He helped me believe that I could pitch at this level and literally had nothing to fear.
CSP: Who is your role model?
TJ: I would have to say my Dad has been the biggest role model in my life. The way that he lives his life and cares about others is very selfless and it shows in his love for his family. He has taught me to be the best that I can possibly be, but when it comes down to it, how to be a kind and caring individual.
CSP: What life lessons did you learn as an athlete on your CSP team?
TJ: I learned to not back down and to not be afraid to speak out.
CSP: What advice would you give to an incoming freshman about their time at CSP?
TJ: Don't come into the program thinking that your time will come. Work hard each and every day in order to fight for that starting spot. That makes yourself and the team better as a whole.
CSP: What CSP athlete from a different program do you admire and why?
TJ: Hannah Gustafson from the track and field team has always kind of been a role model to me. I had a few classes with her my freshman year and I really got to know more about how hard working and dedicated she was to both her sport and her academics.
CSP: Do you have a final personalized message you'd like to share with cspbears.com readers?
TJ: I have enjoyed every second of the time that I was able to play at CSP. I don't know what the future will hold but I would not be the man I am today if it was not for all the people at CSP shaping me for the better.
