LEAGUE LOSES DEAR FRIEND
VHSL Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Mike McCall, 434-977-8475
mmccall@vhsl.org
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Larry Johnson, former VHSL Assistant Director, died Monday, October 6 at the Trinity East Hospice in Steubenville, Ohio, after a valiant fight with liver cancer. He was born May 12, 1940 in Martin, Pa., and grew up in Richmond, Ohio. Johnson is survived by his sister, Patty Applegarth and her husband Ronald, of Richmond, Ohio, and two nephews, Richard Osley of Keywest, Fla., and Brent “Ned” Osley of Richmond, Ohio. He is also survived by scores of loving friends.
A memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 9 at the United Presbyterian Church, in Richmond, Ohio. The Virginia High School League plans to conduct a celebration of life service from 8:15 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, October 28 prior to the VHSL Group Board Meetings at the Charlottesville Doubletree Hotel.
When he joined the VHSL staff in 1985, the organization was on the verge of a period of tremendous growth. Johnson was immediately instrumental in advocating for and implementing the six-division playoff format in football, and the League averaged adding one state athletic championship per year over the next 18 years until his retirement in September 2003.
“Larry Johnson was an ideal representative for the Virginia High School League, totally dedicated to serving all member schools and to serving their student participants,” said VHSL executive director Ken Tilley. “What made Larry special was how much he did to build positive relationships with coaches, officials, school administrators, athletes and fans.”
Johnson told the late Roanoke Times sportswriter Bob Teitlebaum upon his retirement, “The best part about working with the League is meeting with people all over the state. It’s always the people that make a job worthwhile.”
In addition to helping to develop the six-division football playoff system, Johnson’s most significant accomplishments with the VHSL included implementation of a statewide weight management program to better ensure the safety of high school wrestlers, one of the first and most highly renowned state association Sports Medicine Programs in the country, the first state coaches education program to be certified by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education, a variety of innovative sportsmanship initiatives and the annual VHSL Basketball Officials Camp.
Johnson was primarily responsible for supervision of nine sports for boys (cross country, football, golf, wrestling, indoor track, swim/dive, outdoor track, baseball and lacrosse) as well as six sports for girls (cross country, golf, indoor track, swim/dive, outdoor track and lacrosse). He also supervised state officiating programs for the League in football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, lacrosse, swim/dive and track.
At the national level Johnson served for 18 years on the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee and was a member of the NFHS Sportsmanship and Ethics Committee.
He received honors for his achievements from local, state and national professional organizations, including the Virginia Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (VIAAA) Award for Outstanding Service (2003); the Distinguished Service Award from the Virginia High School Coaches Association (1995); the Colon E. Baker Service Award for Lifetime Service to Amateur Wrestling in Virginia (2003); the inaugural Larry Johnson VHSL Sports Medicine Advisory Committee Recognition Award (2003), established and named in his honor to recognize individuals for contributions to the health and safety of high school athletes in Virginia; the NFHS Award for Service and Contribution to the Football Rules Committee (1994); and the NFHS Citation (2005) for special contributions to high school activity programs. In October 2005, he was inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame.
After graduating from Jefferson Union High School in Richmond, Ohio, Johnson attended Milligan (Tenn.) College, where he earned degrees in Health and Physical Education/Social Studies. He then taught for five years and coached basketball at Patrick Henry (Roanoke) High School.
In 1968 Johnson moved to Dinwiddie County High School where he served for four years as a health and physical education teacher and as head basketball coach.
From 1973 until he joined the VHSL staff in 1985 Johnson taught and coached football, basketball, tennis and baseball at Gloucester High School and was athletic director there for 10 years, responsible for 25 teams in 17 sports.
Summarizing his years with the VHSL, Johnson noted, “The years I worked in the League office have been both enjoyable and challenging. I have been most fortunate to be able to spend my working life involved in something that I truly enjoy – education and sports. The vast majority of the time I was able to get up and look forward to the workday. This was due in no small part to the great people I have had the opportunity to work with.”
The VHSL extends its condolences to Larry’s family and friends. We have lost a very dear friend and colleague. Larry set an example for all ages and will always be remembered with love and thankfulness that we shared in a part of his life. He left his mark on the schools, the coaches, administrators, contest officials and student participants of this state and on the lives of so many people. He will be greatly missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support the Youth Group at the Richmond United Presbyterian Church, Main Street, Richmond, OH 43944.