Drew University Athletics

Mike Johnson was a tower of strength, whether he stood on the basketball court or in net on the soccer field. A center in basketball and an intimidating presence in the soccer goal, he helped lead some Drew's most successful teams in both sports and added national-caliber performances of his own.

Johnson played 56 games in goal over four soccer seasons and recorded goals-against averages of .77 as a sophomore and .81 as a senior. That helped power the 1981 team into Eastern College Athletic Conference (E.C.A.C.) Metro New York-New Jersey Tournament and the 1983 Rangers to the E.C.A.C. Metro Area championship. That year Drew ranked 18th among the nation's National Collegiate Athletic Conference Division III schools and missed a national tournament bid only because of an official's admitted reporting error.

At the time of his induction, Johnson's 137 saves in 1981 was still tied for the single-season record, and his 1983 team's 16 victories was tied for the soccer program's win record. In all, this two-year co-captain notched 20 shutouts and was twice named All-Middle Atlantic Conference.

In many ways he was also the backstop in basketball. Even though Johnson played basketball only his junior and senior seasons, his 403 rebounds rank him 10th on Drew's career list. His .673 shooting average during his senior year led all N.C.A.A. Division III schools. It stood as the Drew record at the time of his induction, as well as his career field-goal average of .600. He led the Rangers to victory in the 1983 Independent Athletic Conference (I.A.C.) championship game and a spot in the E.C.A.C. Metro Area Tournament, from which Drew later withdrew before competing.

This team captain also earned honors as Drew's Most Valuable Player, selection to the Rose City Classic all-tournament team, and two picks to the All-I.A.C. Team. He capped his career with selection to the New Jersey Collegiate Basketball Coaches All-Star Team and even played lacrosse one year on offense, scoring eight goals, and becoming Drew's only male three-sport letter winner of the 1980's.