University of Delaware Director of Athletics Edgar N. Johnson Announces Retirement After 25 Years University of Delaware Director of Athletics Edgar N.
Johnson, who led the Blue Hen athletics program to unprecedented success
and through sweeping change during his 25-year tenure, has announced
NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware Director of Athletics Edgar N.
Johnson, who led the Blue Hen athletics program to unprecedented success
and through sweeping change during his 25-year tenure, has announced his
retirement.
Johnson, 64, only the third person to hold the position at Delaware
since 1940, made the announcement Monday at a meeting involving the Blue
Hen coaching staff and and athletics and recreation staff members. He
will retire at the end of the academic year that concludes on June 30. A
four-person selection committee has been formed and a national search
for his successor is currently underway (see forthcoming press release).
"Edgar Johnson’s legacy will leave a profound mark on this University,”
said UD President Patrick Harker. “His unwavering passion, dedication
and support for UD has had a positive influence on the countless number
of individuals who have participated in or were spectators of varsity
sports, intramural teams, clubs and recreational programs throughout his
tenure as director of athletics and recreation services.”
A native of Wilmington, Del. who earned his bachelor’s degree in
physical education in 1967 and his master’s degree in education in 1969
from Delaware, Johnson also holds the title of associate professor and
plans to serve as a faculty member in the UD sport management program
beginning in September, 2010.
“It has been an honor to serve at my alma mater for the last 25 years,”
said Johnson, who succeeded College Football Hall of Fame member David
Nelson as director of athletics in September, 1984. “Every athletic
director and coach wants to win more but I’m very proud of the success
that we have had here, not only on the playing fields but in the
classroom. I have been fortunate to have great support from the
University throughout my time here and I leave confident in the fact
that we have a superb staff that includes some of the most talented and
energetic coaches in the country and a loyal and capable staff. The
success of our student-athletes has always been a paramount. I have
always found great pride in watching the growth of our student-athletes
not only during their time here but in their future careers.”
Johnson, whose 25-year tenure is one of the nation’s longest among NCAA
Division I athletic directors, is only the third person to serve in the
capacity at Delaware since 1940. Bill Murray, also a member of the
College Football Hall of Fame, served in the capacity from 1940 until
1951 before Nelson served for 33 years from 1951 until 1984. Johnson’s
25 years of service as director of athletics at one school is the second
longest active tenure among CAA-member directors of athletics behind
only Old Dominion’s Jim Jarrett, who is currently in his 38th year at
the helm.
“Edgar is one of the most honorable men in our profession,” said
long-time CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager. “He is a passionate friend,
counselor, role model and consummate professional that has represented
Delaware, the
