COLLEGE BASEBALL: NOTRE DAME'S JOHNSON SIGNS TO PLAY AT CCC (8 PHOTOS) (2022-06-08)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
CORNING — Notre Dame senior Cam Johnson always had a dream growing up to play college baseball.

Through out his sports career he’s faced a lot of adversity. He’s dealt with Type 1 Diabetes throughout his sports career, but nothing was going to stop him from his dream, and on Wednesday that dream became a reality as he had a signing day to play college baseball for Corning Community College.

I definitely have more obstacles than most kids my age,” Johnson said. “I don’t let that bring me down. I keep going and fighting. I think it’s a cool thing for me to play baseball at the next level. I wanted to do this since I was a young kid.”

Johnson is not one of the taller guys in sports, and he’s also dealt with diabetes, but he feels like making it to the college level can be an example for young kids.

“My story is definitely great,” Johnson said. “Just for the youths to keep fighting, don’t let someone bring you down. Just keep fighting and go on your own path and write your won story.”

On Wednesday Johnson wrote the next chapter to his story as he committed to play at Corning.

“I am very excited, I have been screaming of it since I was a kid,” Johnson said.

For Johnson CCC is someplace he grew up around as the nephew of legendary CCC softball coach Stacy Johnson.

“I was always up there as a kid, helping her out with the basketball team and softball team and always in the dugout,” Johnson said.

With the Johnson family legacy at the school the idea of going to CCC was always in Johnson’s mind.

“All the time she (Stacy Johnson) was always expecting me to go there and Isaac (Bushey) the basketball coach always wanted me to go there as well, it was the perfect fit for me and my family,” Johnson said.

With his aunt on the softball field the Johnson family is used to being at CCC for games, now Cam knows they’ll be over at the baseball field as well.

“It’s going to be filled with Johnson family all over there next year.”

CCC didn’t have a team last year, and Johnson is excited to be part of the return of the program next year.

“I have always wanted to play baseball for this program,” Johnson said. “It bummed me out when they didn’t have a program last year. I’m just trying to get a couple friends from he area to come play baseball in Corning.”

The CCC baseball team will also have a new coach next year in former Tioga Central Standout Dakota Skinner.

“I really like that he played baseball growing up as well and I think he’s a good fit for the program,” Johnson said.

And, the fact that Skinner played in the IAC like Johnson is neat for the Crusaders senior.

“I didn’t know he played for Tioga, I thought that was pretty cool,” Johnson said. “He told me that today.”

It will be fun for Johnson to play on the nice turf field at CCC.

“Their turf is very nice, their whole campus is just beautiful for a JUCO,” Johnson said. “They have a brand new weight room up there, the gym is nice, they keep the stuff nice up there.”

Johnson figures he could have a few roles for CCC.

“I’ll definitely play outfield,” Johnson said. “Coach Skinner always wanted me to pitch. I think I’ll pitch up there as well, maybe first base. It’s his decision on that, I’m just there to play baseball.”

For Johnson there are things he wants to work on before college.

“I’m definitely a smaller kid, undersized, I’d like to gain some weight up there, bulk up and start to rake for baseball and work on outfield as well,” Johnson said.

The Notre Dame senior has seen all his aunt has accomplished, including leading CCC to back-to-back national runner-up finishes the past two years, and while he doesn’t think he can match her accomplishments in a couple of years, he certainly will try.

“Corning is a two-year school for playing sports, I don’t think I can come close to her accomplishments, but I’ll definitely try,” Johnson said. “It’s motivation for sure. I have to keep a good history up there.”

And, Johnson knows that with his family name at CCC there will be eyes on him, and he wants to set a good example and continue the legacy of the Johnson family name.

“Everyone will be looking at me seeing if I’m a role model,” Johnson said. “I’m striving to be a good student in the classroom and on the field as well.

“I definitely want to set a tone for the younger kids. And, I have a younger brother, I have to keep up for him, pave a path for younger kids. This is a dream come true of mine.”
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IN TOP PHOTO: Notre Dame’s Cam Johnson holds up the CCC baseball jersey. PHOTOS 1-7 COURTESY OF CORNING COMMUNITY COLLEGE. . . PHOTO 8 COURTESY OF CHAD JOHNSON