April 20, 2006

Charleston, S.C. - For many Bulldog football fans the name "Scooter" rings a very familiar bell. One that takes them back to the early 2000's when the young wide receiver from Irmo, S.C. was writing his name in The Citadel history books. Now, three years after the completion of his collegiate football career, Alvin "Scooter" Johnson has continued his dream of becoming one of the hottest wide receivers on the gridiron.

"I didn't find out about the tryout until three days before," Johnson said referring to the National Indoor Football League's (NIFL) latest expansion team, the Charleston SandSharks. "A co-worker of mine showed it (tryout ad) to me not thinking I would seriously consider it, but I went out and made the team."

Johnson, who played for the Bulldogs from 2000-2003, currently holds the top spot for the most receptions in a single-season at The Citadel with 69, recorded in 2002. That season, Johnson totaled 950 yards, the second highest single-season receiving yards in the school's history. In his four seasons as a Bulldog, he caught 110 passes for 1,603 total yards, placing him second all-time. Now wearing the same number 12 for the SandSharks, Johnson has earned the chance once again to make history.

"Dreaming while living reality," Johnson describes his experience as a SandShark. "Playing professionally is always the ultimate goal for every athlete. It's fun just being out there and being on the team and playing ball again."

The reality of his latest adventure is that he still maintains his job at Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company in Mount Pleasant. An engineer designer by day and football player by night, Johnson said that he has little time to do anything but work and practice.

"My job really works with me so that I can make this happen," said Johnson, whose day starts at 7 a.m. at Thomas & Hutton and concludes with practice at 9:30 p.m. Working half days on Fridays allows him to travel with the team for Saturday road games.

This week, however, should be a little easier for the former Bulldog. The SandSharks will host their first home game on Saturday, April 22, Johnson's 25th birthday, at the North Charleston Coliseum. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. and The Citadel's Summerall Guards will be performing at halftime.

"It will be just like old times," Johnson said. "With the Summerall Guards and hopefully many of the same fans, it will feel just like it did at Johnson Hagood."

Except Saturday's game will be inside and air-conditioned.

Also playing wide receiver for the Sandsharks is former Bulldog Jermaine Anderson ('04), of Charleston. Johnson and Anderson are lead by former Citadel assistant football coach John Patterson (2003-2004) who is the SandSharks' inaugural head coach.

The team is currently 2-1 for the season and will play 14 regular season games, plus the play-offs. For more information on Johnson and Anderson's performances and the Charleston SandSharks, go to www.thecharlestonsandsharks.com.