Dr. Paulette Walker Johnson nationally recognized Virginia State University “Woo-Woos” Cheering Squad

Virginia State University’s former head cheerleading coach, Dr. Paulette Johnson (middle) will be inducted into the John B. McLendon, Jr. Hall of Fame, announced by the CIAA.

Paulette Johnson was recognized for her efforts to help the Virginia State Woo Woos (Courtesy of Kevin Coles)

Virginia State University’s former head cheerleading coach, Dr. Paulette Johnson (middle) will be inducted into the John B. McLendon, Jr. Hall of Fame, announced by the CIAA.

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) will welcome Dr. Paulette Johnson and six other individuals as its 2011 class of inductees into the John B. McLendon, Jr. Hall of Fame. The honorees will officially be enshrined on Friday, March 4, 2011 at the Charlotte Convention Center at 11:00am- as part of the CIAA Tournament’s week of events.

Dr. Paulette Walker Johnson spent 35 1/2 years coaching the nationally recognized Virginia State University “Woo-Woos” Cheering Squad. Setting the standard for HBCU cheering programs, the Woo Woos and Dr. Johnson have been featured on the BET television network, Urban Sports Network, ESPN and have had numerous appearances on locally based television stations. In the 1990’s the squad performed at a boxing match staged by the legendary promoter Don King. In 1999, the Mayor of the City of Petersburg established “Dr. Paulette Walker Johnson Day”. Johnson is noted as the first female athletic director in VSU history and coached the VSU softball team to win its first CIAA Softball Championship. In the conference she was the first president and founder of the CIAA Cheerleader Coaches Association. She is 2003 inductee of the VSU Wall of Fame.

The Virginia State Woo Woos in action (Kevin Coles)

 

The Woo Woos working on their lean. (Kevin Coles)