50-for-50: Dave Johnson, Track & Field 1982-83
In 2021 LB celebrates the 50-year anniversary of its athletics program. Beginning in January, we will highlight people, teams and moments from the past five decades of Roadrunner Athletics. You can nominate a former athlete, coach, team, suppter or memorable moment from LB Athletics using this form.
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The 1980's
Dave Johnson, Track & Field 1982-83
Dave Johnson participated in track & field at Linn-Benton during the 1983 season. A Crescent Valley High School graduate, Johnson originally headed to Western Oregon State College (now University), but landed at LB the following year.
Track coach Dave Bakley convinced Johnson to give the decathlon a try, and the rest is history. He won the NJCAA Region 18 decathlon title in 1983 and transferred to Azuza Pacific University. Johnson continued to compete on the national stage, winning national titles in 1989 and 1990.
Johnson earned a spot on the 1988 USA Olympic Team. He also participated in the 1990 Goodwill games before again earning a spot on the USA Olympic Team in 1992, when Johnson earned the Bronze medal in Barcelona, Spain.
Reebock signed Johnson in 1991, and the company launched is now-famous "Who's the world's greatest athlete? Dan or Dave" campaign in 1992 leading up to the Olympics. The adversiting spots featured Johnson and Dan O'Brien, Team USA's other decathlete.
Read a great tribute article to Johnson from the Corvallis Gazette Times:
Johnson was inducted into the NWAC Hall of Fame in 1992.
