Lillbern "Nubs" Johnson (1982) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Lillbern "Nubs" Johnson

Induction:
1982
Class:
1928

1924-27
Football/ Basketball/ Track
Quarterback; Punter; High Jumper; Pole Vaulter
’28 ‘38
Despite his stature, standing only 5-3 and weighing only 140 pounds, Lillbern “Nubs” Johnson was a threat to the opposition in any of the four spots in which he participated. “Nubs” earned nine varsity letters overall while on the Hilltop from 1924 through 1928. In football, he garnered letters in 1925 and 1926 as a quarterback. In 1926 Lillbern led the Zips in the rushing with 394 yards including a team high of 95 versus Kenyon. He was also the squad’s leading punter with 42 attempts covering 1,680 yards. Incredibly, one half that total—no less than 21 punts for 840 yards—came in a single game. On October 30, 1926 he performed this UA all-time record-breaking feat against Baldwin-Wallace. Later that season Lillbern drop-kicked a 47-yard field goal to defeat Ohio University. The mark still stands as the all-time record for a drop-kick goal. Basketball, however, was Johnson’s major sport. He earned three letters for UA and as a senior was the captain for Fred Sefton’s 1926-27 squad, despite being sidelined most of the season with an illness. His forte was floor leadership, ball handling, and accurate passing and he also could be counted on for at least six points a game. When he wasn’t on the gridiron or hard court. “Nubs” could be found participating in one of UA’s two spring sports—baseball and track. In 1926 and 1927 he earned letters in baseball as the Zips’ shortstop. Johnson also excelled in track as UA’s high jumper and pole vaulter in 1925-1926 “Nubs” established a new state pole vault record at the Big Six Meet with an effort of 12’2 ¾ , bettering the pervious standard of 12’0”. He shared or held the Ohio Conference mark for the majority of his two participation and was undefeated in his specialty for his career. In 1928, in recognition of his athletic achievements, Johnson was awarded UA’s Athletic Honor Cup—a forerunner of today’s Athlete of the Year Award.