Born and raised on a farm in Irmo, Johnny Bouknight came to Newberry after graduating from Irmo High School in 1957. A three-sport letter winner in high school, Bouknight came to Newberry as a walk on with the men's basketball team.
A three-year letter winner at Newberry, Bouknight earned a scholarship from coach Tom Quinn for his final three years of college.
Bouknight made an impact with the Indians in 1961 as he earned First Team All-Little Four and First Team All-Tournament recognition. An all-conference center at Newberry, Bouknight was honorable mention all-state and was the runner-up MVP of the Little Four Tournament in 1961.
As a co-captain of the 1961 Indians basketball team, Johnny helped lead Newberry to its first national tournament appearance of any kind. Bouknight finished the 1961 season third on the team in scoring and second in rebounding. In the Little Four Tournament he scored 33 points against Presbyterian College.
A lifetime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Irmo, Johnny and his wife of 52 years, “Petsie” continue to live in the Irmo area. After retiring from the Climatic Corp as VP of Finance and Corporate Assets, Johnny and his wife have traveled extensively throughout the United States in Canada in their RV.
Johnny now devotes his time to his family and woodworking.
