PRINCESS ANNE, Md. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced the appointment of Dr. Robert A. Johnson, Jr. to the role of Faculty Athletic Representative, effective immediately.

Dr. Johnson is currently employed by UMES as chair of the school’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

In this NCAA mandated role, the Faculty Athletic Representative serves as a mediator between the NCAA, a school’s department of athletics and the entire campus community. He or she is allowed to advise executives and assist in helping to promote proper compliance, academic integrity, accurate use of resources, the experiences of student-athlete, and communication between the school, its department of athletics and the community at large.

Dr. Johnson is no stranger to the world of intercollegiate athletics—he was a defensive lineman on the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns football team from the mid to late 1980s while earning his bachelor’s degree in mathematics. After completion of his master’s degree from Southern University (La.), Dr. Johnson served as the defensive line coach for the Washington University Bears in St. Louis, Missouri from 1993-1997. While coaching there, he earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics in 1997.

After going back to Southern as a math professor for two years, Dr. Johnson was hired to the role of Assistant Professor at UMES in 1999. He has worked in Princess Anne ever since, being promoted to Associate Professor in 2004 and Department Chair in 2011. Along the way, Dr. Johnson has also served as a member of the Council of University System of Maryland Faculty, the Chair of the University Senate and the Chair of the University Faculty Assembly. Each of these bodies creates policies that enhance the overall environment of UMES.

He has taught virtually every mathematics course the university has had to offer, from MATH 101 Intermediate Algebra to MATH 498 Introduction to Actuarial Studies, as well as graduate level Computer Science programs.

“Dr. Johnson is uniquely qualified and prepared to assume the duties and responsibilities of Faculty Athletics Representative.” said Athletics Director Keith Davidson. “[His] experiences as a former student-athlete gives him rare insight into the demand of intercollegiate athletics on student-athletes’ welfare.”

He will succeed Dr. Henry Brooks as Faculty Athletic Representative, who was appointed by then-Athletic Director Hallie Gregory in 1989 and served the role continuously for 25 years before retiring this past June 30th.

Dr. Brooks was a champion in fighting for the university’s athletic programs, working in the department through the development of the school’s bowling program and track teams and the construction of the William P. Hytche Athletic Center and the Sharon D. Brummell Bowling Lanes. Dr. Brooks’ efforts earned him distinction in the UMES Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012 and won him the organization’s Hawk of the Year Award in 2014.