PORT ANGELES — Dedicated to his work and lauded for his efforts by his peers, longtime Port Angeles athletic director Dwayne Johnson’s resignation was accepted by Port Angeles School Board members earlier this summer.
Originally hired by the district as a teacher and coach in 1985, Johnson was named athletic director in 2010 and spent 15 years in that role.
Johnson served as Olympic League president since 2012, was a member of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s Representative Assembly and served on the West Central District executive board and as a member of the Washington State Athletic Directors’ Association.
In 2020, Johnson became the first North Olympic Peninsula AD to be honored with The Athletic Director Service Award, which was created to recognize athletic directors who have made a significant contribution at the school, league, regional or state level in any one year.
In recognition of his leadership and dedication to Washington state students and schools, Johnson was awarded the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s Gareth Giles Memorial Award for the 2020 school year.
“We all recognize the hard work, leadership, advice, dedication and friendship Dwayne shares with his community, school, league, district, state and nation,” said West Central District 3 Director Joe Keller. “Congratulations, Dwayne.”
“Mr. Johnson, also known by many as ‘Coach,’ is someone who any school would be lucky to call their athletic director,” said Port Angeles School Board student representative and Roughriders gymnast Maizie Tucker in 2021.
“Throughout my four years at PA, it was not uncommon to see Mr. Johnson almost every day, coming out of his office to interact and connect with students. His best qualities are that he eats, sleeps and breathes Roughriders.”
At the time, Johnson said he was “humbled” to have his work and achievements with the Port Angeles School District recognized.
“I am humbled with the body of work that has been recognized by my peers across the state and nation,” Johnson said.
Johnson also received the WIAA’s 2016 League Athletic Director of the Year award for the Olympic League and the Washington Secondary School Athletic Administrators Association’s Athletic Administrator Outstanding Service Award for 2015-16.
Shelly Thiel, then director of the West Central District, nominated Johnson for both awards.
“It has been a pleasure to have worked with Dwayne the past several years,” Thiel said.
“He’s a first-class individual with strong leadership qualities. He’s always willing to listen and hear you out.”
“Although he may be pulled in many directions, he has the calm, cool demeanor to handle tough tasks,” Thiel added.
“Chairing appeal committees, hearing violation issues, coordinating monthly meetings, Dwayne sees as more of a challenge or opportunity rather than a burden.
“He follows the strong leadership of his late father, Ron Johnson, who was also a member of the West Central District III Executive Board, becoming the first father-son to hold the same position as president, perhaps the only such example in the state,” Thiel explained.
Ron Johnson was a star athlete and longtime athletic director and coach at Neah Bay.
Individuals are nominated by peers within their league or district and then voted on by the WIAA Executive Board.
Johnson could not be reached for comment.
Loggers add Kuburic
Isabella Kuburic has been named head coach of the Crescent Loggers volleyball team.
Kuburic recently competed for the Mount Hood Community College volleyball team.
Volleyball practice begins Monday with practice running from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Logger gym.
Players in grades 8-12 are eligible to participate.
Kuburic replaced Kimber Sprague, who stepped down after compiling a 40-25 record from 2019-2024, qualifying for the Northwest 1B Tri-District tournament in each of the past three seasons.
Track resurfacing
A resurfacing project has closed the Blue Heron Middle School track in Port Townsend.
The old, crumbling surface is being replaced with a new base mat and a more durable top coat.
The project is funded by capital levy dollars and is expected to reopen next month.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at sports@peninsuladaily news.com.
