Not many high school transfer students become the quarterback of a football team of take on a major role on the basketball team. But Conner Johnson's leadership skills at University High School have propelled him to accomplish both.
"They let me take that role as a leader and I really appreciate it," said Johnson, who was named the Cricket Student Athlete of the Month for the month of January.
"As far as leadership goes, I've always believed you don't have to be the biggest, the fastest, the strongest, you don't have to run the fastest ‘40' time but you have to be able to show your team that you're willing to work as hard if not harder than anybody else on the field."
Johnson's coaches and teachers
"He's an outstanding young man and besides being very talented athletically he's also very intelligent," said head football coach Bill Diedrick.
Johnson threw for more than 2,000 yards last season and set a school record in the process. While he loves football, at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, he lends his talents to the basketball team as well, although he is a bit modest about his skills.
"I'm not much of a basketball player but I bring a little bit of strength and size to the team," he said. "I try to do the right things on the court, and I try not to mess anything up."
"His leadership has carried over from the football field to the basketball field," said basketball coach Garrick Phillips. "I think the benefit he is to our team is the example he shows in his work ethic. I kind of refer to him as an old-school athlete and an old-school kid. He is ultra-polite – kind of over the top, as a matter of fact. He is still very formal with me."
Johnson also excels in the classroom. With a 3.45 GPA, his favorite class it AP Literature.
"As far as school goes I'm kind of jealous, hungry in a way, to the point where I want to get the best education that I can," said Johnson. "I always want to fulfill my potential in whatever I'm doing."
What means the most to Conner is the acceptance he's felt from his teammates on the football field and his band of brothers on the basketball court.
Conner Johnson led the Titans on the football field, plays on the basketball team as well, and has a 3.45 GPA (Photo: SWX)
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and KHQ. All Rights Reserved. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
