General participates in Women's Final Four

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
  • Air Force News Agency
TAMPA, Fla. (AFPN) --  The most decorated female athlete in the U.S. Air Force Academy's history took part in the 2008 NCAA Women's Final Four April 4 through 7 at Tampa.

Brig. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson, the deputy director for the war on terrorism in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon and a former Academy basketball player, participated in numerous events at the Final Four. 

"It is a thrill to be here to represent the Air Force," General Johnson said. "What an honor it is representing people in uniform at a place where they are so respectful and appreciative of people who serve."

The general is a 1981 Air Force Academy graduate and four-year letter winner on the women's basketball team. She holds the school records for career scoring average with 17.6 points per game and 689 career field goals made. She was the team co-captain in 1979 through 1981 and was an Academic All-American in 1980 and 1981. She was one of six people inducted into the inaugural class of the Academy's Athletic Hall of Fame.

With her success in the military and her background as a basketball player, NCAA officials said the general was a perfect choice to participate in Final Four festivities. They said she sets a great example for the young women about how to become successful in life.

"General Johnson just embodies all of the core values of the NCAA," said Sue Donohoe the vice president of NCAA Division I Women's Basketball. "She has taken a lot of the lessons she learned as a student-athlete and she has applied them to her professional military career."

The general said she hopes to communicate to the players that they are capable of more than just putting a ball in a basket. She said they are learning skills on the court that can be used in society.

"You can lead in our country as a public servant, whether in uniform or not," she said. "You can lead in business or lead in education because you are more than just basketball players."

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