PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles High School Athletic Director Dwayne Johnson will soon have another piece of hardware for his office.
In recognition of his leadership and dedication to Washington state students and schools, Johnson has been awarded the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s Gareth Giles Memorial Award for the 2020 school year.
Johnson is a member of the WIAA’s Representative Assembly, serves on the West Central District Executive Board and is a member of the Washington State Athletic Directors’ Association.
He’s also the Olympic League President.
Individuals are nominated by peers within their league or district and then voted on by the WIAA Executive Board.
“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.”
Johnson will be recognized for his hard work and dedication to students, staff and the community during the Port Angeles School Board meeting Thursday, Feb. 11.
“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.
“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.”
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.
If in-person meetings are allowed, Johnson will receive his award during the WIAA Athletic Director meetings in June.
A Hoquiam native, Gareth Giles served as South Bend Superintendent of Schools from 1951 to 1975 and as Southwest District 4 secretary and a consultant to the WIAA in retirement. He died in 1985, and the award was established in his honor in 1986.
Johnson is the first athletic director from the North Olympic Peninsula to receive the award.
He also was recognized as the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s 2016 League Athletic Director of the Year for the Olympic League and the Washington Secondary School Athletic Administrators Association’s Athletic Administrator Outstanding Service Award for 2015-16.
Johnson was inducted into the Washington State Gymnastics Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017 having spent 24 years as the equipment manager at the WIAA state gymnastics meet. He also served as an assistant gymnastics coach for Port Angeles High School in the 1990s.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or mcarman@peninsuladaily news.com.
