Sports

Services set for legendary coach Leon Johnson, whose impact remains strong

By: Jason Pugh, Associate Athletic Director for External Relations Story Links NATCHITOCHES – As a track and field coach, Leon Johnson left an indelible imprint upon Northwestern State. The impact he made upon those who competed for him – regardless of when or where – is of matching depth and […]

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2 months ago

June 19, 2025

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By: Jason Pugh, Associate Athletic Director for External Relations

NATCHITOCHES – As a track and field coach, Leon Johnson left an indelible imprint upon Northwestern State.

The impact he made upon those who competed for him – regardless of when or where – is of matching depth and importance.

Johnson, a legendary figure in Northwestern and the Southland Conference’s track and field history, died Tuesday at the age of 86. There will be a celebration of life for Johnson held at Magale Recital Hall on the NSU campus at 3 p.m. Sunday. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home, located at 848 Keyser Avenue in Natchitoches.

“I am saddened today to learn of the passing of my dear friend, coach and mentor, Leon Johnson,” said former Northwestern State President Dr. Chris Maggio, who ran for and coached under Johnson before ascending the ranks of university administration. “My life has been greatly blessed and enriched because this gentleman reached out to me 43 years ago and said, ‘My name is Leon Johnson, and I am the new track and field coach at Northwestern State University, and I want you to become my first recruit at NSU.’ Thankfully, I said yes to his invitation and words cannot adequately express the magnitude of life lessons that I learned from him.

“He will be remembered as a Hall of Fame coach who mentored 50-plus All-Americans and won several conference championships. I, too, will remember him for his coaching accolades, but I will also remember him as a Christian man, a great role model and for the hours and hours he spent working with young men and women on the track no matter their athletic abilities. It didn’t matter if you were an All-American or a beginner, Coach would be there for you teaching and coaching you to be better in your event and better in your life. Thank you, Coach Johnson changing the lives of thousands of young people.”

The individual and team accolades Northwestern compiled under Johnson were many. Three Southland Conference team championships and top-20 finishes in the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Fifty-seven All-Americans and nearly 100 NCAA championship qualifiers. Two Olympic triple jumpers.

There was the 1986 birth of the Lady Demon track and field program that also occurred on Johnson’s watch.

In other words, Northwestern could build a trophy case simply for Leon Johnson and his student-athletes’ accomplishments. What transpired in the past 48 hours could fill a virtual one as well.

“I first stepped foot on the Northwestern State campus 40 years ago this August,” former Director of Athletics Greg Burke said. “Even then, as an intern, I recognized what kind of man, what kind of mentor and what kind of coach Leon Johnson was. I had the good fortune to come back as athletic director and have him sitting at our head coaches’ table. The perspective he offered, the respect he had among coaches and staff within the department was really remarkable.

“One needs to look no further than social media in the past 48 hours and read the number of posts – and not just the number – but the heartfelt messages from so many track alumni,” Burke said. “Oftentimes, the true measure of a coach’s impact — and how lasting that impact is — will be reflected in the sentiments expressed by the student-athletes who practiced and competed under that coach.”

Johnson began his career as a high school basketball coach in Colorado before coaching state champion high school track and field track and field teams in Louisiana at Opelousas and DeRidder, ultimately taking over at Northwestern where his name became synonymous with the school.

Northwestern track and field athletes compete in the Leon Johnson Invitational each spring after entering the Walter P. Ledet Track and Field Complex via Leon Johnson Lane.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s state cross country championships also conclude in that area, thanks largely to Johnson’s push to bring the event to Natchitoches where it has become a staple of the city’s athletic calendar, with Johnson and staff doing yeoman’s work each November to make it happen.

What Johnson built at Northwestern was done so on the foundation of a family feel – one that serves as a living testament to Johnson’s approach.

“He helped shape so many men’s and women’s lives,” said current Northwestern track and field coach Mike Heimerman, who competed under Johnson before coaching with him and, ultimately, succeeding him as the program’s leader. “Hundreds of athletes – probably closer to thousands – came through Northwestern under coach Johnson, and he helped shape and mold them into young men and women, good mothers and fathers, good husbands and wives.

“He made Natchitoches and Northwestern State a home for so many young men and women, including myself. That was an attraction to NSU and to Natchitoches. That’s something we’ve tried to instill in the program now. It’s something I learned from him, and we tried to take it up a notch. The other thing I learned most from him is making sure the student-athletes get a degree and that you care for them. When you care for them, they do more for you. That’s been very evident in the past here with the men’s and women’s programs and the success we’ve had.”

Johnson’s legacy was made working with Northwestern’s track and field athletes, but his influence permeated the athletic department as a whole.

Late in his career, former Demon men’s basketball coach Mike McConathy utilized Johnson’s ability to provide insight on flexibility and conditioning for McConathy’s team. It proved to be a learning experience for both the Demon players and their longtime coach.

“His impact was invaluable in the fact he taught me as well as the kids so much,” McConathy said. “It was the respect my players had for him. The way he taught and instructed them was amazing. He used the technique of lower volume. He had something they were interested in. They all locked in with no distractions. That taught me something, taught my staff something.

“The attention he gave them showed me they had a tremendous amount of respect for his ability. It was just incredible to witness. I don’t know that you can paint a word picture to describe what we actually saw.”

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The Citadel Volleyball 2025 Season Preview

Story Links CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel volleyball team is scheduled to begin the 2025 season on Aug. 29. The Bulldogs start the regular season with the Buccaneer Invitational on Aug. 29. Southern Conference play begins on Sept. 25 against Wofford at McAlister Field House. The Bulldogs have nine returning players […]

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20 minutes ago

August 18, 2025

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CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel volleyball team is scheduled to begin the 2025 season on Aug. 29.

The Bulldogs start the regular season with the Buccaneer Invitational on Aug. 29. Southern Conference play begins on Sept. 25 against Wofford at McAlister Field House.

The Bulldogs have nine returning players from last season and are adding eight new members for the 2025 season, which includes four freshmen and four transfers.

Head coach Dave Zelenock on the 2025 season:

This year’s team is a fun group. They are young, athletic, and hungry. The gym has a great energy that we haven’t seen in a while. Over the last few years, we’ve gained a lot of experience, which was helpful, but it also led to a lot of load management. This year, we can make more of a push.

The extended preseason has allowed our group to spend significantly more time together, free from the distractions of the corps and academics. It has really helped the team bond and prepare for the challenges the year will bring.

The preseason will be our chance to experiment with lineups and even positions, as we have many players capable of playing multiple positions. When we get to SoCon, the main challenge will be the team learning and preparing for opponents that most of them have never faced before, but have only observed. With transfers and players taking on new roles, we will have a completely different group on the floor. As a result, we anticipate significant growth as the season progresses.

The goal is always the SoCon tournament, so if we continue to make progress until the end, this group can cause some trouble in the tournament.

In the 2024 season, the Bulldogs ended with a 15-14 overall record and an 8-8 conference record. They earned the No. 5 seed in the 2024 Southern Conference Tournament, notably winning a thrilling five-set match against Samford in the first round. The Citadel was knocked out in the semifinals by Mercer.

The Citadel finished the season as the NCAA Statistical Champion for digs per set with 19.44.

Recently promoted associate head coach Erin Kretzschmar begins her fourth season with the Bulldogs.

Following the season opener at the Buccaneer Invitational, the Bulldogs will travel for two away matches against Georgia Southern and the College of Charleston. The Bulldogs will finish the non-conference schedule with the Queens Fall Classic and the Wofford Invitational.

The Citadel’s first home match is the conference opener against Wofford on Sept. 25. Senior Day is slated for UNCG on Nov. 8. The last match of the season is against Samford, and the 2025 Southern Conference Championships start on Nov. 20 in Asheville, North Carolina.

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Princeton Approves $81,200 Contract Extension For Grover Park Flood Mitigation

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton Council has authorized an $81,200 contract extension for engineering services related to the Grover Avenue Culvert Replacement Project, bringing the total agreement value to $211,137. The municipality originally awarded a professional services contract to Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) in November 2023 for $129,937 over 12 months. The additional funding will support preliminary […]

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29 minutes ago

August 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The municipality originally awarded a professional services contract to Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) in November 2023 for $129,937 over 12 months. The additional funding will support preliminary hydraulic and park improvement design work in Grover Park.

The contract extension targets chronic stormwater management problems in Grover Park, where flooding during severe weather events affects both the recreational area and downstream properties along Harrys Brook.

“This contract has to do with planning for better stormwater management in Grover Park, which is desperately needed,” said Councilman David Cohen. “The park floods regularly in extreme storm events and downstream neighbors as well suffer along that branch of Harrys Brook. So I’m really excited to see this first step towards the upgrades to Grover Park, which we’ve been anticipating for a couple of years.”

Harrys Brook Tributary 2 flows through Grover Park between the Princeton Shopping Center and Grover Avenue. The existing culvert system consists of multiple drainage pipes that cannot handle projected future storm flows.

During the design phase, GPI discovered that even upgraded infrastructure cannot prevent all flooding. According to Assistant Municipal Engineer Jim Purcell, future 100-year storm flows based on New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection rainfall projections would still cause flooding without unacceptably impacting a downstream residential property.

“It was determined that flooding of Grover Park will occur in the future, as it does today, during such a storm event,” Purcell explained in a memo to Council.

Rather than attempting to eliminate flooding entirely, the proposed design works with natural water patterns. Plans include:

Elevated walkways on boardwalks positioned above flood levels

A raised picnic area to remain accessible during high water

Rehabilitation of the existing basketball court

Playground upgrades designed to withstand flooding

Replacement of the footbridge crossing the stream

The comprehensive approach acknowledges that some flooding is inevitable while ensuring park amenities remain functional and safe for residents.

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Women’s Tennis Announces 2025 Fall Schedule – Texas A&M Athletics

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M women’s tennis head coach Mark Weaver announced the 2025 fall schedule for the Aggies, featuring nine tournaments and the NCAA Singles & Doubles Championships. Finishing the season as the No. 2 ranked team, the Aggies start their fall schedule at the ITA All-American Championship in Cary, North Carolina Sept. 20-28. Texas […]

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36 minutes ago

August 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M women’s tennis head coach Mark Weaver announced the 2025 fall schedule for the Aggies, featuring nine tournaments and the NCAA Singles & Doubles Championships.

Finishing the season as the No. 2 ranked team, the Aggies start their fall schedule at the ITA All-American Championship in Cary, North Carolina Sept. 20-28. Texas A&M head to two ITF tournaments in California, including the WTT Berkeley Tennis Club in Berkeley Sept. 22-28 and the WTT Bank of Marin W35 in San Rafael Sept. 29-Oct. 5

The Maroon & White competes in the ITA Regional Championship in Fort Worth, Oct. 9-14. Looking to close out the fall season strong, Texas A&M participates in the ITA Central Sectional and Conference Masters Championships Nov. 6-9.

ITA All-American Championship

The ITA All-American Championship features 10 singles players and four doubles teams who will qualify for the NCAA Singles & Doubles Championship.

ITA Texas Regional Championship
The ITA Texas Regional Championship features two singles finalists from each region who will compete in the NCAA Singles Championship while the doubles champion will go straight into the NCAA Doubles Championship.

ITA Conference Masters
Four singles players will qualify for the NCAA Singles Championship while three doubles teams will compete in the NCAA Doubles Championship.

ITA Central Sectional

Six singles players and three doubles teams from each section will qualify for the NCAA Singles & Doubles Championships.

The Aggies will take part in three fall invitationals. Texas A&M heads to the Rice Invitational, Sept 19-21, followed by the TCU Invitational Oct. 23-26, and the H-E-B Invitational in Waco, Nov. 6-9.

The fall wraps up with the NCAA Singles & Doubles Championships in Orlando, Nov. 18-23.

Sept. 19-21	Rice Invitational	Brown Tennis Center	Houston, Texas
Sept. 20-28	ITA All-American Championship	Cary Tennis Park	Cary, N.C.
Sept. 22-28	ITF WTT Berkeley Tennis Club W35	Berkeley Tennis Club	Berkeley, Calif.
Sept. 29-Oct. 5	ITF WTT Bank of Marin W35	Marin Tennis Club	San Rafael, Calif.
Oct. 9-14	ITA Texas Regional Championship	Friedman Tennis Center	Fort Worth, Texas
Oct. 23-26	TCU Invitational	Friedman Tennis Center	Fort Worth, Texas
Nov. 6-9	H-E-B Invitational	Hurd Tennis Center	Waco, Texas
Nov. 6-9	ITA Central Sectional Championship	Mitchell Tennis Center	College Station, Texas
Nov. 6-9	ITA Conference Masters Championship	Barnes Tennis Center	San Diego, Calif.
Nov. 18-23	NCAA Singles & Doubles Championship	USTA National Campus	Orlando, Fla.

FOLLOW THE AGGIES
Visit 12thman.com for more information on Texas A&M women’s tennis. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M women’s tennis team on Facebook, Instagram, and on X by following @AggieWTEN.

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2025 Fall Preview: Lockwood Volleyball

By Chris Parker Lockwood volleyball is looking to defend its district championship with an experienced roster returning this season. “(We are) returning multiple players with varsity experience,” Lockwood head coach Sarah Scott said. “(The) players are willing to move to whatever role the team needs to be successful.” Asa Laster returns for her sophomore season […]

Published

37 minutes ago

August 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By Chris Parker

Lockwood volleyball is looking to defend its district championship with an experienced roster returning this season.

“(We are) returning multiple players with varsity experience,” Lockwood head coach Sarah Scott said. “(The) players are willing to move to whatever role the team needs to be successful.”

Asa Laster returns for her sophomore season after earning Class 1 All-State honors as a freshman. She put down 469 kills with 34 aces to lead Lockwood last season. She was second in digs with 433. Lasater will be a middle/outside hitter.

Libero Peyton Lasater had 500 receptions and 383 digs last season.

Gracyn Clawson led Lockwood with 452 assists last season and returns as a setter in her junior season.

Seniors include Annie Neely (M/OH) and Natalie Wilson (DS). Neely is returning after missing last season with an injury.

Kenna Holman (M/OH), Jessie Thieman (OH) and Reese Whitesell (M/OH) are a trio of returning juniors. Holman is a returning starter who had 84 kills last season. Thieman brings a lot of power with her hitting and had 136 kills as a sophomore. Whitesell has played varsity since her freshman year. She had 263 kills last season.

Sophomores Hadley Abbiatti (setter) and Brynley Ogden (M/OH) round out the key players for Lockwood. Abbiatti saw varsity action as an outside hitter as a freshman, but is moving to setter this season. Ogden returns after an injury her freshman year and brings communication and a positive attitude according to Scott.

Lockwood travels to Stockton for a jamboree on Aug. 26 with Sarcoxie and Stockton. The Tigers open the regular season on Sept. 2 at home against New Heights Christian.

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Gymnastics Posts Nation's Second

Story Links KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan gymnastics team finished the year with the second-highest GPA in the sport after posting a 3.8880, while all 20 members of the team earned Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association Individual Academic Honors. The Broncos jumped from 44th last year to second this season after posting its sixth-highest team […]

Published

39 minutes ago

August 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan gymnastics team finished the year with the second-highest GPA in the sport after posting a 3.8880, while all 20 members of the team earned Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association Individual Academic Honors.

The Broncos jumped from 44th last year to second this season after posting its sixth-highest team GPA since 2015. Western Michigan has been in the Top 5 of the sport’s GPA list in sixth of the last 11 years.

“Our Bronco gymnasts inspire me every day with their work ethic. To achieve a 3.888 team GPA with 21 student-athletes is an incredible accomplishment, and I’m so proud of how they represent our program and our university. Finishing second in the nation is a direct reflection of the culture our team has built—one where excellence is expected in every area. Our athletes push each other to be their best in the gym and in the classroom. I’m so proud of their hard work and grateful for the support of our academic staff who help make achievements like this possible.”

Booke Gelesko, Julie Korfhage, Patricia Mills, Sarah Moravansky, Reese Samuleson, and Kyler Webster led the way for Western Michigan, all with 4.00 GPAs. Every member of the team at least had a 3.50, while 12 had a 3.80 or higher.

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Georgia Tech 2025 Cross Country Schedule Announced – Men’s Cross Country — Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

THE FLATS – Head coach Alan Drosky and the Georgia Tech cross-country programs have announced the 2025 schedule of competition, highlighted by the Yellow Jackets the annual Georgia Tech XC Invitational on Oct. 3 at Bouckaert Farm in Fairburn, Ga. The four-meet regular season begins Friday, Aug. 29 as the Jackets compete in the Kennesaw State […]

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52 minutes ago

August 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

THE FLATS – Head coach Alan Drosky and the Georgia Tech cross-country programs have announced the 2025 schedule of competition, highlighted by the Yellow Jackets the annual Georgia Tech XC Invitational on Oct. 3 at Bouckaert Farm in Fairburn, Ga.

The four-meet regular season begins Friday, Aug. 29 as the Jackets compete in the Kennesaw State Invitational at the Allatoona Creek Park in Acworth, Ga., followed by the Huntsville Southern Showcase Sept. 12 at the John Hunt Cross Country Running Park in Huntsville, Ala. After hosting the Georgia Tech XC Invitational, the Jackets travel to Bryan-College Station, Texas, Oct. 17 for the Alabama Crimson Classic at the Harry Prichett Running Park in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The ACC Championships for both men and women will be held on Oct. 31 at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky. The NCAA South Regional is scheduled for Nov. 14 at John Hunt Park in North Alabama, Ala. and the NCAA Championships will take place Nov. 22 Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Miss. hosted by Missouri.

The Yellow Jacket women finished seventh at last year’s NCAA South Regional, led by Kate Jortberg’s 13^th-place finish, while the men placed eighth, with Devin Wade leading the men’s team across the finish line finishing 21^st. Tech returns a number of Yellow Jackets on both the men’s and women’s teams including juniors Taylor Wade (Mableton, Ga.) and Lottie Chappell (Atlanta, Ga.).

Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead is a $500 million fundraising initiative to achieve Georgia Tech athletics’ goal of competing for championships at the highest level in the next era of intercollegiate athletics. The initiative will fund transformative projects for Tech athletics, including renovations of Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field (the historic home of Georgia Tech football), the Zelnak Basketball Center (the practice and training facility for Tech basketball) and O’Keefe Gymnasium (the venerable home of Yellow Jackets volleyball), as well as additional projects and initiatives to further advance Georgia Tech athletics through program wide-operational support. All members of the Georgia Tech community are invited to visit atfund.org/FullSteamAhead for full details and renderings of the renovation projects, as well as to learn about opportunities to contribute online.

For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on X (@GT_tracknfield), Instagram (GT_tracknfield), Facebook (Georgia Tech Track and Field) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com

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