This is the second class of CSC’s 30 Under 30 awards. This honor was created in 2022 by the association’s Young Professionals Committee to recognize outstanding young professionals across the membership.
“It is a great honor to be selected as one of College Sports Communicators’ 30 Under 30,” said Johnson. “I know how talented my colleagues are in this industry, so being chosen among them is a tremendous accomplishment. I wouldn’t have existed. I’m grateful.” “I thank him from the bottom of my heart. Being able to document the careers of these student-athletes at Purdue Fort Wayne is one of the experiences I had as a young professional. It has been a most rewarding experience. I would like to thank all of the student-athletes, coaches, and coaches.” “The administration, my colleagues at SID, and most importantly my wife who has supported my career. I look forward to my future in this profession. I am.”
This award recognizes strategic, creative and digital sports communications professionals across the CSC membership. A candidate will be considered for selection based on his accomplishments in one or more areas, including:
- professional success
- Impact on athletic departments/conference rooms
- Services to CSC
Candidates must be 29 years of age or younger as of December 31, 2023, and be a current 2022-23 CSC member.
Johnson is in his eighth year as a member of Purdue Fort Wayne’s Media Services Department. He began working as his graduate assistant in 2016 and took on a full-time position in 2019. He is the primary media contact for the men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s golf, women’s soccer, women’s basketball and softball programs. He also helps promote his sport for the rest of Mastodon’s 16.
Johnson won several awards for his content creation for “Don.” He won the District 5 Fred Staley Senior Writing Contest in 2022 for a history feature on his 40-year history of the men’s volleyball program, and in 2023 he was runner-up in two categories. His story on the 2022 Women’s Soccer season won Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year and Coach of the Year awards, and was runner-up in Event Coverage under head coach Maria Marchesano. A special feature on the growth of the women’s basketball team won second place in the season summary category. Behind his lead, the Media Services Office also won the 2021 AVCA Grant in the Men’s Division of the Berger Media Award for its coverage of the men’s volleyball program’s 40th anniversary.
Johnson also creates video content for gomastodons.com and Mastodon’s various social media channels.
In addition to his work at Purdue-Fort Wayne, Johnson also serves as sports information director for the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball Association, a position he held starting with the 2020 men’s volleyball season.
Johnson graduated from Indiana University in 2016 with a degree in sports communications. From his 2014 to his 2016 tenure, he served as a broadcaster for his Big Ten Network Student U program. Highlights of his broadcasting career include the 2015 Purdue Fort Wayne men’s basketball game at Indiana and his 2014 NCAA men’s soccer tournament second round game between Indiana and Connecticut. . He also joined the Indiana baseball team as a broadcaster for iuhoosiers.com. He traveled with the Hoosiers for several road contests and home events.
A complete list of the 30 Under 30 classes can be found here.
~Feel the rumble~