General 10/16/2017 9:23:00 AM

Toros Lose Legend in Dr. John L. Johnson, CSUDH's First Athletics Director

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 26, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City

CARSON -- An iconic figure in the annals of Cal State Dominguez Hills Athletics, Dr. John L. Johnson, CSUDH's first Athletics Director and head coach of the men's golf program from 1968-2013, passed peacefully in his sleep Saturday night at the age of 96. The original "Dr. J," Johnson founded the Toros' Athletics Department and coached the school's first intercollegiate team in golf, a position he held for 45 years.

A memorial service will take place on Thursday, October 26, 2017, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, beginning at 11 am. A reception will immediately follow at the Jamaica Bay Inn in Marina Del Rey.

Johnson's ties to southern California began 70 years ago just up the 405 Freeway, taking the Wilshire exit and heading east towards Westwood Boulevard. He received his undergraduate degree in 1947 at UCLA, majoring in History and Physical Education, and later received his master's in Education in 1962 and his Doctorate in Education in 1964, both from UCLA.

Johnson was a star running back for the Bruins during his undergraduate career and earned MVP honors in the 1947 Hula Bowl, the first of what has become one of the most prestigious postseason all-star games for college seniors. Johnson also was an All-Coast selection during the 1946 season.

Completing over six decades as a coach, Johnson began his coaching career in football with UCLA in 1949 as an assistant coach, where he remained until 1964. As an assistant coach for the Bruins, Johnson's primary responsibilities focused on defensive backs.

Johnson next moved on to Cal Poly Pomona, where he became athletic director at the school in 1966. He served in that capacity until 1968, when he came to Cal State Dominguez Hills to become the University's first athletic director and golf coach, during which he has coached four All-Americans, including Ryan Indovina, the first-ever Toro to qualify for the US Amateur in August of 2010.

Johnson was responsible for laying the groundwork for the Toros athletic program and, in the fall of 1968, formed the first intercollegiate team at CSUDH, the men's golf team.

Although Johnson's coaching duties centered on golf, football remained in his blood. He has been one of the driving forces behind the Hula Bowl, which gains stature annually as one of the top all-star college football games in the country. Johnson also played an important role in the development of the Japan Bowl in the years prior to the inaugural game in 1976.

Additionally, Johnson served as a National Football League professional scout from 1965-1990, serving the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers (for legendary coach Vince Lombardi), Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers, under whom Johnson served his longest stint as a scout.

A native of Bakersfield, Johnson has authored nearly a dozen books, including most recent publications A Tale of the Toro: Forty Years of Golf as a CS Dominguez Hills Toro for the Oldest Living Coach (2010) and A Hula Bowl Coach Aloha: Salute to Hawai'i's Own Premiere All-Star College Football Game (2009), co-authored one tome with J.C. Snead.

Usually donned in khaki shorts, a khaki "Hula Bowl" vest and equipped with a quick wit, booming laugh and anecdotes galore, Johnson enjoyed skiing, writing and tennis during his leisure time. He also taught graduate and undergraduate classes in the department of physical education, recreation and dance at CSUDH.

Here's how some of Dr. J's colleagues remember him:

Dr. Willie Hagan, CSUDH President
"Dr. John L. Johnson epitomized the role of coach and faculty. He not only cared for and taught our students, he supported them well after they graduated from the university. Dr. Johnson also demonstrated his support for our students and our campus by his personal philanthropy. Many a student has enjoyed scholarship and athletic success due to the effort and resources provide by Dr. Johnson."

Jeff Falkner, CSUDH Athletics Director
"Toros Athletics lost a true legend with the passing of Dr. Johnson. His dedication to student-athletes, collegiate sports, and CSUDH lives on in the many lives that he affected during his time here."

Ron Eastman, CSUDH Golf Head Coach / Former CSUDH student-athlete golfer under Dr. J
"Dr. Johnson was truly a person who had lived life to the fullest. He had seen and done things most people only dream of. As a coach and teacher he encouraged his students to also live the life of dreams, and that everything was possible if you just believed and did it."

Warren Edmonson, CSUDH Track & Field Head Coach
"Doc was a class act. He cared about the community, the school and all of his students. He was always kind and gentle and never had a bad word for anyone. He will be truly missed!"

Joe Flanagan, CSUDH Men's Soccer Head Coach
"Dr. J was the first true Toro. He brought his great mind and experience to DH and put DH Athletics on the map. For me as a player and as a coach at DH he was always a mentor and a great example of who we all wanted to be as a coach. I will always be able to look back at the conversations we had with a smile. He was a true inspiration and will be missed, but never forgotten."

Natalie Lockhart, CSUDH Compliance Officer
"I was honored to work with Dr. J. He was a kind, humble person who always had a smile on his face. He loved being a Toro and embodied Toro pride. We will truly miss him, but his spirit for this University will carry on."

George Wing, CSUDH Intramurals Director / Former CSUDH Baseball Head Coach
"The 'Doc' evolved as one of my mentors as a coach and professor, then over time into a very close friend. His loss comes as a reminder of our temporal lives, even if it takes us late into our 90s; but nonetheless, he is already missed. What I truly miss about my time with the Doc were our impromptu meetings in the Dominguez Hills parking lot before going to our separate classes or in either of our offices, where we would put our feet up on a desk and just talk sports! Cherished time that I will always remember fondly!"

Dan Guerrero, UCLA Athletics Director / Former CSUDH Athletics Director
"The passing of John Johnson leaves me with a heavy heart, but also with a tremendous sense of gratitude for having had the opportunity to work with and learn from this incredible individual. John's life and career are laden with superlatives, ranging from his fantastic career as a football student-athlete at UCLA, to his successful coaching career at both UCLA and California State University, Dominguez Hills. He also served as a role model for me as I cut my teeth as a young college athletic administrator back in the early 1980s. John loved to compete and treasured the many relationships that he was able to build over his long and storied career. He was a great Bruin and true legend."

Pat Guillen, Hawai'i Hilo Athletics Director / Former CSUDH Athletics Director
"Dr. J was someone who made a profound impact on thousands of people, including me. As a young administrator at CSUDH, it was priceless to have the person who began the program back in 1968 as a sounding board. He lived a full, amazing, and unique life. Dr. J loved his Bruins and former students more than anything. I will miss his friendship and our visits but I know his legacy and memory will live on in the lives of those he touched."

Sam Lagana, Pepperdine Associate Vice Chancellor / Former CSUDH Associate Athletics Director
"Dr. Johnson was one of the most interesting men in education and athletics, and his commitment to the students he shepherded was unparalleled. He was desirous that they could have the best available to them and worked toward that end in all that he did. A few years following my time serving in the athletics department, I stopped by the Dominguez Hills campus one day just to pop in on Dr. J. He was in the process of evaluating how he and others could be more impactful to the golf program and the University. The message I heard loud and clear was that Dr. J wanted to be sure that young men who participated in golf at the university would forever have a sport to play and the means to compete with dignity and class. John Johnson was committed to that passion. His legacy will live and his passion will carry on from the people he touched. Scholar, athlete and a man of passion, Dr. J. embodied the spirit of commitment to a passion for a century. He just kept giving and never asked even for a word of thanks. But now is the time to praise, so thank you Dr. J for your incomparable passion towards people. You will be cherished and missed."

Theresa Cuarenta, Former CSUDH Business/Office Manager
"During my nearly 35 years at CSUDH, Dr. J was respected for his knowledge of the department and how to deal with specific concerns about/of student-athletes. He was so informative of many subjects and would always ask with a smile, 'So, how far away are we from getting me a full-time assistant golf coach?" I will miss my good friend and my father-figure, but it makes my heart smile to know that heaven is getting to know more about golf and CSUDH Athletics!"

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Players Mentioned

Ryan Indovina: 6' 4"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Ryan Indovina
: 6' 4"; Senior