Charles Johnson Sportsperson Award

 “My teaching/coaching philosophy has developed through years of experience working with children, teens, and adults. I believe every individual is unique and approach each of my students with respect for their individuality.”
-Coach Charlie

This award was established as a way of saying thank you to Coach Charles Johnson for his dedication to the sport and to the Central Florida Fencing Division. When told that a trophy would be presented in his name he asked that it be for good sportsmanship, as his adopted club motto is “Fence with courage, win with honor, lose with dignity.”

Charles Johnson became involved with the sport of fencing in 1984 at the age of 34 and has participated as a competitor, instructor, and organizer. Competing from 1985 to 1995 he has participated in numerous local and national competitions. He has served as chair, secretary, and treasurer of the Central Florida Division at different times during his 35-year fencing career. In 1989, he assisted with the Junior Olympics in Orlando. In 1990, he assisted Jim Campoli with the National Championships in Orlando. In 1993 he was instrumental in bringing the National Championships to the Fort Myers Harborside Convention Center. (Both Nationals were held during a time when the division officers were responsible for all aspects of those tournaments.) In 2000 and 2005 he assisted with the World Veteran’s Championships, both held in Tampa. Coach Johnson started teaching and coaching in 1994 and has coached some of Florida’s top fencers at Southwest Florida Fencing Academy. One of the things that first attracted him to fencing in the early ’80s was the courtesy and respect that most fencers showed towards each other, the officials, and tournament organizers. It was his sincere hope that by establishing the Sportsmanship Award we could reinforce those ideals.