(Photo by: Vaughn Wheat)

Last month, JCCC women’s basketball head coach Ben Conrad was recognized as the 2024-25 NJCAA Division ll Women’s Basketball coach of the year. This is a well-deserved and hard-earned reward, as he touched 500 total wins at JCCC this season, and led the Cavs to a jaw-dropping 34-1 overall record. His leadership and determination have earned him multiple commendations over the years, and we can confidently call him one of the most successful coaches in NJCAA history. So, what does an award like this really mean, and what has Conrad done to create a winning culture at JCCC?

“We’ve got to get the right kids that will buy in to the Johnson Way, kids that want to be a part of something special, something bigger than all of us as individuals,” Conrad said. 

From what I’ve gathered after a semester of working with student athletes and coaches at JCCC, the “Johnson Way” means dedicating yourself as a student athlete to work harder than you ever thought you could work before, striving to be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be. This consists of being a team player, looking out for your teammates, and holding onto your competitive spirit throughout your ups and downs. 

“Any kid going to college to play any sport has to be okay with struggling for a while and having to experience some failure as they adjust to the next level,” Conrad said. “It’s such a huge part of the growth process. Some people let it defeat them. I think that ability to use that failure is a huge separator for who makes it and who doesn’t.”

Coach Conrad harnesses and embodies these traits, instilling them into each and every player that steps onto his court. So, after winning a National Championship title (again), where do his goals lie now?

“My goals don’t change. First and foremost, we wanna continue to help these kids reach their goals, help develop them as adults and help add value to them as student athletes,” Conrad said. ”Then we wanna max out with whatever talent we happen to have each year and represent this great college at a high level, hopefully that means winning, a lot.”

Conrad’s latest accommodations are more than just simple rewards. They are reflections of his winner’s mindset; the relentless pursuit of growth and triumph, and his undoubted trust in the process. With a new title under his belt and an outstanding sophomore class ready for the next season, there’s no doubt Conrad will continue to stamp JCCC’s name on the map–one championship at a time.