The University of Akron Athletics
Hall of Fame
Johnston, Desmond D.
Desmond D. Johnston
- Induction:
- 2009
- Class:
- 1999
1995-98
Sweeper
A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, Desmond Johnston ends up playing soccer in Akron, Ohio.
As a freshman in 1994, Johnston established himself by starting as a sweeper in all 18 games as UA compiled a 11-6-1 record. Johnston’s most memorable game of his 56- game UA career was his first contest in Zip uniform in which he scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Coastal Carolina. His performance that year earned him UA’s Newcomer of the Year Award, the Larry Temo Award as the most outstanding defensive player, first-team All-Ohio and third team All-Midwest honors.
He went on to start in every game he played in at UA. As team captain he helped the Zips to a 11-5-2 record 1995, that included nine shutouts, a goal against average .72 and the Mid- American Conference (MAC) Championship. As a result Johnston was voted UA’s Most Valuable Player Award, was a unanimous selection for first-team All-MAC and earned first team All-MAC Academic and All-Mideast honors, as well.
He missed the 1996 season due to back injury but, came back in 1997 to help lead UA to a 14-5-2 record, and another MAC championship. He was again accorded first-team All-MAC, All-Ohio, All-Mideast, and his 3.6 GPA in finance earned him first team All- MAC Academic and GTE/Co-SIDA District IV Academic All-American honors.
In addition his was voted, for the second time, the team’s MVP and Temo Award.
He culminated his college athletic career by being voted the MAC’s Bob James Award, given to athletes with a 3.5 GPA or higher who have demonstrated good character, leadership, and citizenship and James Horrigan Award as UA’s Athlete of the Year for 1997-98.
Johnston graduated in 1998 and joined Lolla’s team and served as an assistant coach for the 1998-99 season.
Sweeper
A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, Desmond Johnston ends up playing soccer in Akron, Ohio.
As a freshman in 1994, Johnston established himself by starting as a sweeper in all 18 games as UA compiled a 11-6-1 record. Johnston’s most memorable game of his 56- game UA career was his first contest in Zip uniform in which he scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Coastal Carolina. His performance that year earned him UA’s Newcomer of the Year Award, the Larry Temo Award as the most outstanding defensive player, first-team All-Ohio and third team All-Midwest honors.
He went on to start in every game he played in at UA. As team captain he helped the Zips to a 11-5-2 record 1995, that included nine shutouts, a goal against average .72 and the Mid- American Conference (MAC) Championship. As a result Johnston was voted UA’s Most Valuable Player Award, was a unanimous selection for first-team All-MAC and earned first team All-MAC Academic and All-Mideast honors, as well.
He missed the 1996 season due to back injury but, came back in 1997 to help lead UA to a 14-5-2 record, and another MAC championship. He was again accorded first-team All-MAC, All-Ohio, All-Mideast, and his 3.6 GPA in finance earned him first team All- MAC Academic and GTE/Co-SIDA District IV Academic All-American honors.
In addition his was voted, for the second time, the team’s MVP and Temo Award.
He culminated his college athletic career by being voted the MAC’s Bob James Award, given to athletes with a 3.5 GPA or higher who have demonstrated good character, leadership, and citizenship and James Horrigan Award as UA’s Athlete of the Year for 1997-98.
Johnston graduated in 1998 and joined Lolla’s team and served as an assistant coach for the 1998-99 season.
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