Richard C. Johnson Memorial Spirit Award

Attended WMC from 1981-1984

Member of Alpha Gamma Tau Fraternity

Member of football and baseball team, all four years

FOOTBALL (WIDE RECEIVER AND KICKER)

Honors:

• All-Maryland first team in 1981 as kicker
• All-Maryland honorable mention in 1982
• All-MAC Southern Division Honorable Mention
• All-Centennial Conference first team in 1983 as receiver

BASEBALL (CATCHER AND OUTFIELDER)

• Career Batting Average: .333
• Career Slugging Pct: .476
• Career Fielding Pct: .949

HONORS

• All-Middle Atlantic Conference Southern Division first team in 1982
• Jim Boyer Memorial Award recipient in 1984
• Co-captain of 1984 team which won MAC Championship (16-5 record)

PERSONAL

1. While excelling at both sports, Rich had a passion for baseball.
2. Very intense on the athletic field. Off the field, he was very outgoing and personable.
3. After graduation he used to come back and work out with the team.
4. He dressed up as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny at various holiday children's functions.

Rich passed away in 1991 at age 28. His wife and family established a restrictive gift fund (Richard C. Johnson Memorial Fund) at Western Maryland. Accrued interest would help to pay for hte baseball team's annual spring trip to Florida.

The recipient is selected by players and coaches. The award is given to the person who best emulates the qualities of Rich Johnson.

• Loyalty to institution
• Humanistic qualities
• Team spirit