Photo from Northwestern State University
BOBBY ARDOIN
Contributing Writer
An anonymous donor has added a $15,000 contribution for a Northwestern State University track and field scholarship named after a former legendary Opelousas High coach, according to a university press release.
The amount of the additional contribution which was released for publication by NSU on Dec. 25, indicates the donation was given by one of the one of the track and field athletes Johnson coached at the university.
The amount boosted the scholarship mark to $25,000 for those who received the annual Leon Johnson Track and Field Scholarship.
During the early 1970’s Johnson coached Opelousas to a pair of boys’ championships and two second places at annual state track meet.
Johnson, who left Opelousas and then won another state high school state title at DeRidder in 1982, retired from coaching in 2013, after heading the NSU track program for 31 years.
In 2017 Johnson 84, was selected for membership in the Southland Conference Hall of Honor. The conference has also named the annual men’s outdoor coach of the year award after Johnson.
During his NSU coaching career, Johnson coached 134 men’s and women’s conference champions in outdoor and indoor track, 57 All-American athletes and two jumpers who competed in the 2008 Olympics.
