Oct. 12, 2007

Keith Johnson Inducted in PLU Athletic Hall of Fame

Keith Johnson, who started Pacific Lutheran's rise to regional domination in men's tennis, was inducted today into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame at a luncheon held in Olson Auditorium. Joining Johnson in the 18th PLU Athletic Hall of Fame class were Russell Cole (track & field and cross country), Rachelle Snowdon Mulder (volleyball), Kate Wheeler Sheflo (women's soccer), Scott McKay (football) and PLU Men's Basketball Teams 1955-56 through 1958-59.

Though he played at Pacific Lutheran only two years after transferring from Central Washington, Keith Johnson became the school’s first great men’s tennis player.

As a junior in 1967, Johnson compiled a 20-2 record as the program’s No. 1 singles player. He won the conference singles title and the NAIA District I doubles title with Mike Benson. Johnson qualified for the NAIA national tournament but was unable to attend.

The next year as a senior, Johnson piled up a 19-3 record in singles play. Along the way he won both the conference and district singles championships and qualified for the NAIA national tournament, where he won three matches to advance to the round of 16.

Johnson’s single-season winning percentages of .909 (1967) and .864 (1968) rank third and sixth, respectively, on the PLU all-time list.

He joins the following PLU men's tennis greats in the PLU Athletic Hall of Fame: Dave Trageser (inducted 1993), Mike Benson (coach, inducted 1999) and Eddie Schultz (inducted 2004).

- PLU -