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FAQ
Kevin & Casey '89 Johnson
Tell us about your time at the Naval Academy?
Prior to attending the Naval Academy, I spent 2 years at Boston College. I entered the Academy in 1985 with the class of 1989. I was a walk on to the Swimming & Diving team and was very fortunate that I was given the opportunity to participate in a varsity sport at Navy alongside nationally ranked athletes who had been recruited by Joe Suriano, a top notch, nationally recognized diving coach. I studied Aeronautical Engineering, spent a semester at the Air Force Academy my second-class year and was selected to be the Deputy Brigade Commander my first-class year.
Why did you decide to attend USNA?
My father served as an officer in the Air Force and always spoke fondly about this time in the Air Force and how much it meant to serve his country. I learned about the Naval Academy through another candidate who was appointed two years ahead of me at my high school. I asked my dad to take me for a visit during my junior year. I fell in love with The Yard and all the history and tradition. I knew I wanted to serve my county and I knew USNA would be a great place for me to start that journey. I applied for 3 years and was extremely fortunate to have the Foundation select me for an A&SP scholarship my sophomore year at Boston College. I would not have been afforded the opportunity to attend USNA if it weren’t for the Athletic & Scholarship Program.
What was your favorite memory from your time at USNA?
Believe it or not, Plebe Year was my favorite time at the Academy because I had the most amazing roommates, Maria (Chapman) Long ‘89, Julie (Morgan) Gaudan ’89 and Heidi Fleming ‘89. During what was an incredibly stressful time in our lives, we managed to laugh, have fun and succeed together. We had an amazing bond and I could not have imagined going through plebe year without their support. We remain in touch to this day and celebrated our USNA journey together at our 30
th reunion last fall.
At the end of plebe year, we were shot gunned and our entire class went to different companies across the brigade. So, the four of us went in different directions and didn’t have the opportunity to continue the closeness we had as plebe roommates. I’m very thankful that didn’t happen to my daughters, Shannon ‘17 and Kylie ‘19. They were able to spend all “four years by the bay” closely connected with their plebe year classmates.
You’re a very Navy Family — what has your experience been like first being an alumna and then a parent?
I was always very proud of my accomplishments at Navy, but when both of my children accepted appointments to and graduated from Navy, I was thrilled. I knew it would be tough, but I also knew the opportunity it afforded them both. While at USNA, there is a sense of urgency to graduate, move on and join the Fleet because the environment at school is intense. But as a parent, you experience only the pride and joy. Shannon was a cheerleader and Spirit Team Captain. Kylie sang in the Women’s Glee Club and as a riveter, the female A Capella group. Those were two facets of the academy that I did not experience, and it was really incredible to witness those programs through my daughters. I must say, I am incredibly grateful that my husband, Kevin, was so influential in my daughters attending the Academy. I was reserved about their pursuit, while Kevin was instrumental in familiarizing the girls to all that USNA had to offer, and how serving and being a graduate would change the trajectory of their lives.
As a female graduate, I was proud to see how a generation later, women were truly accepted and respected at USNA. As a part of the first decade of women attending the Academy, I experienced animosity towards women being Midshipman. It was amazing to see in my daughters’ generation that this rarely exists – women are fully integrated and accepted as Midshipmen with mutual respect. There are greater numbers of women in leadership positions at USNA now and they are doing incredibly well.
Having seen the Academy through so many lenses, what are some of the constants about USNA that you think ring true through every lens?
Tradition! It has been devastating this spring 2020 talking to Midshipmen and parents about what has been missed. Herndon, Ring Dance, and Commissioning Week as the traditions that exist at the Academy are the constants that I saw through my own experiences as well as through the lens of my daughters. It’s heartbreaking that the current Midshipmen and their parents are not able to participate in these rights of passage.
What advice would you give a Plebe who is not experiencing these traditions their first year attending the Academy?
I know a young man (and his family) who has just completed his plebe year, John Nelligan ‘23. I interviewed him as a senior in High School and helped him with his USNA application. He is a foundation sponsored student who attended The Hill School and now plays water polo for Navy. l have shared with him all of the relevant messages disseminated by Byron Marchant ’78 [from the USNAAA], Tom Lynch ’64 [to the A&SP Trustees] and
Chet Gladchuk [from NAAA] about this time of uncertainty and change. I impressed upon him that this situation provides an opportunity for self-reflection and decision making. Are you going to rise to the challenge, lead and help others get through this time or simply sit back, do nothing or worse grumble and be negative? John is a leader. He is staying positive, staying busy and focused on the future.
How long have you been an A&SP Trustee and what influenced your decision to join the Trustee group and remain active?
I have been a Trustee for 18 years and I was the first female Trustee at A&SP. I joined the program when my father went Emeritus. He encouraged me to join A&SP to stay connected, give back to the Academy and to network. I used to attend the Trustee meeting receptions with my father while I was a Midshipman. Back then, it was a very small group focused solely on the scholarship program. The receptions included no more than 50 Trustees and their spouses, and they were held in Hubbard Hall. Because of this and having been a Foundation sponsored student, I was very familiar with A&SP, so it was a natural fit for me to become a part of this organization. I could not do what I do without the support of my husband, Kevin. He has been an amazing trustee spouse. He has not missed a single meeting since I became a Trustee and has been very passionate about and supportive of Athletic Excellence along with me and all the other spouses.
Looking back, I’m so grateful that I became a Trustee! I am optimistic about our future sustainability and being a part of that future. As Chairman of A&SP for the past 16 years, Tom Lynch transformed the organization along with Ed Wallace ’72 (VP of A&SP for 18 years). They initiated The Fund for Athletic Excellence and dramatically improved the scholarship component which has made A&SP more relevant to USNA. I have such a respect and admiration for Tom and Ed. They have inspired me to do more, give more and be better! Don Hughes ‘88, the new VP who recently replaced Ed has hit the deck running and has his focus on the future of the organization.
Why do you continue to support NAAA Athletics as a donor and season ticket holder?
I believe strongly in the Physical Mission as a part of the whole person who attends USNA: the mission of the Naval Academy is to morally, mentally and physically prepare you to lead and be an officer in the Armed Force. I am also passionate about supporting NAAA because most people don’t realize that NAAA is 95% supported by private funding. I didn’t really understand this until I became involved as a Trustee in Athletic Excellence fundraising efforts.
Chet consistently speaks about the Margin of Excellence. We must continue to grow, evolve and excel. It’s critically important to continue to provide for our Midshipman in terms of having the best coaches, facilities and overall program for our athletes to perform and compete. It also makes a huge difference in intramural and club sports as well, as these team activities contribute to the overall mission of USNA to develop our future leaders.
While continuing to support the Fund for Athletic Excellence, why have you chosen to also support the Women’s Initiative and become a part of Women for Navy Athletics?
When co-chairs Lisa Quadrini and Mara Matthes first approached me about joining that effort, I was surprised to learn how few women, specifically, participate in giving to the Naval Academy and fundraising overall. I thought it was important to be a part of spreading the message to get more women involved in fundraising. The
Women for Navy Athletics initiative is very clear that the goal is to get more women to support all 33 varsity sports – both men’s and women’s teams as well as club and intramural teams. In addition, I personally focus on an element of women-for-women sports/activities as I believe there is a need.
There’s obviously a lot more male graduates from USNA, so from a sheer volume perspective, a lot more men support Navy Athletics. But it’s not just about alumni, it’s also about engaging spouses of alumni, sponsors and parents in support of the same initiative. In terms of spouses it goes both ways. Even though my husband, Kevin did not attend the Academy, he supports Navy Athletics wholeheartedly. For the past several years, Kevin has organized a golf outing for the Navy Women’s Golf Team at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania where he is a member. It is one of the premier golf courses in the US and he really enjoys hosting the women every summer during their training.
If you were speaking to other alumni and fans of the program, why/how would you encourage them to support The Fund for Athletic Excellence?
By helping others understand that what they see and experience – the excitement of winning and celebrating success comes at a price. You have to engage and support, it doesn’t happen on its own. Alumni and fans have to support the effort to make “winning” happen. I also emphasize that NAAA is 95% privately funded.
What are you most excited about for the future of NAAA?
I’m excited for the future of Navy Athletics because I really like to BEAT ARMY at everything! We excel at this and that was not always the case when I was a Midshipman. We only BEAT ARMY in football one year out my fours years. Also, I know a young woman who is entering the Academy this fall and will be competing on the volleyball team. And I know she had great options as to where to attend college and play volleyball. I am thrilled that she made the choice to serve and be a part of something so incredibly special. For NAAA, this means having an amazing program and having a facility like the Terwilliger Center where we can share with both recruits and the general public the amazing history of Navy Athletics. I’m excited and proud to be a part of a program that looks as amazing and as good as any other college campus that has a top-notch athletics program to showcase.
The Women in Sports Exhibit in the Terwilliger Center will be USNA’s first tribute to women as athletes. As more women come through the Naval Academy and more women become affiliated as a mother, sponsor or spouse, I’m excited for them to become more engaged and involved with the change and future of NAAA overall.
