Carvel Johnson made his mark as a dominant force on the offensive line for the Big Blue Football team. He was a two-time CCIW All-Conference selection (1971, 1972) and earned recognition as an All-NAIA District 20 Offensive Lineman in 1972. Johnson was also named Millikin’s Most Valuable Offensive Lineman in both 1971 and 1972, anchoring a team that played a pivotal role in the first winning season for Head Coach Skip Mathieson in 1970.
Beyond the gridiron, Johnson was a leader in student life. He was a member of For Soul Only and a charter member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.’s Theta Omicron Chapter in 1973. Johnson also took part in significant student advocacy, helping establish a dedicated space on campus where Black students could gather, organize and build community — an initiative that became a foundation for greater inclusion at Millikin.
Graduating with his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing in 1973, Johnson was also a trailblazer in his career. He was the first non-Accounting major from Millikin to be hired into the sales management team at Caterpillar. Johnson later worked for Procter & Gamble and Illinois Bell, before retiring from BNSF Railway as a Supervisor in the Mechanical Department.Â
Committed to giving back, Johnson has volunteered with Martha’s Village, Butterfly Dreamz and numerous community organizations supporting unhoused families. He and his wife, Vanessa, live in East Chicago, Ind. They have four daughters — Shannon, Dalila, Ayrin and Safiya — one son-in-law, Chris, and two grandchildren, Skylar and CJ. Johnson also treasures the support of his extended family, including his cousins, Lee and Terri Walker.
