Oct. 13, 2005

George Mason profiles former student-athlete Kathy (Conroy) Johnson in the `Where are they now?' series commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 1985 NCAA Championship women's soccer team.

The Beachwood, N.J. native was a standout defender for the Patriots. As a defender she managed to score two goals and was credited with assists on two others during the 1985 championship season.

Currently, she resides in Springfield, Va. with her husband and three children, ages 15, 13 and 12. She is employed as a Project Manager for an Office Furniture Dealership in Arlington, Va., but stays involved with soccer at the youth level coaching three soccer teams. She coaches Boys U16 NCSL Div2; Boys U14 NCSL Div1; and a Girls U14 ODSL Div 2 team and has since inception. If that isn't enough, she is also the President of Team America Soccer Club.

Kathy attended the reunion on September 24 and rehashed many memories of 20 years ago talking about the songs that motivated the team, the "Chub Club", the fights, the nicknames that they still call each other, but most of all the magic. "Hank knew what he was doing when he put this group together - the chemistry was amazing," said Johnson. "Hank knew if he put all of those girls with all of that heart and determination together, they would do great things - and he was right."

She considers all the women family and friends who shared a feeling that you only get to feel once in a lifetime if you are fortunate enough. "In one moment it rushed on: happiness, relief, achievement, exhaustion, elation, satisfaction, glory - years of preparation went into the moment, countless hours, weeks, months of sweat, puke, blood, sacrifice - all of it for one moment that will last forever," added Johnson. "We share that memory and that feeling - it's amazing."

Johnson put into perspective what her experience of playing soccer at Mason meant and her beliefs about playing sports. "It's not just a game going on out there - there are ton of life lessons," said Johnson. "I learned to work hard, work with others, make decisions, make mistakes and learn from those mistakes."

Johnson was fortunate enough to live that once in a lifetime dream and will cherish those great memories an entire lifetime.