He previously served as the Howard football manager during his undergraduate days and is currently the director of on-campus recruiting. Janice Pettyjohn made history as the first woman to be hired in a full-time football position at Howard.
Pettyjohn has always had a passion for sports, which led him to become the equipment manager and graphic designer for the Howard football team during his freshman year in 2017.
The intersectionality of being a Black woman in the sports industry may have its challenges, but for Pettyjohn, it wasn't a limitation. Throughout her college career, she has dedicated her time and skills to supporting her facilities and operations teams.
Upon graduation in 2021, Pettyjohn returned to Howard looking to continue to strengthen the team.
Pettyjohn, 22, was named the first director of on-campus recruiting and assistant director of football operations, and was instrumental in the Bison's success this past season as they won back-to-back conference championships. title.
In his first season with the Bison, Pettyjohn facilitated the recruitment of a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National Signing Day class of 12 athletes.
Head football coach Larry Scott said what a valuable addition Pettyjohn is to the program.
“She's kind of pioneered that position just by her work ethic and just contributing to what we're trying to do wherever she can,” Scott said.
Pettyjohn has been praised for his ingenuity in implementing innovative ideas within the football program and his skill in fostering an environment that prioritizes the players.
“She was an addition just with her creativity. Her out-of-the-box thinking, how to do things at an elite level within our resources and what we can do here at Howard to make it a great experience for our student-athletes. “Be creative about it,” Scott said.
“I think that's the start, because if you don't hire the right people, you're not going to win championships,” Pettyjohn said.
Zaria Riggans, a junior sports management major from Detroit who is the creative director of media for the football team, further explained Pettyjohn's influence.
“I think she showed us that we can not only be a part of a male-dominated field, an important part of it,” Riggans said.
While Pettyjohn brings expertise and creative ideas to the program, he also credits those around him for the team's recent success.
“At the end of the day, no one person can change the program, so all of this is a team effort,” she said. “It's a group.”
Pettyjohn's tenacity has made her someone admired by the women around her, encouraging them to do what they're passionate about and excel at it.
“I honestly think just her passion to see this program reach its fullest potential motivates me to work harder every day,” Riggans said.
“If no one feels inspired by what you do, you're not doing it right,” Pettyjohn says.
Copy edited by Dara Campbell
