Paul Johnson
Contributor | 2013
Hometown: Forth Worth, Texas
There was no one more dedicated to the growth of adaptive track and field for more than 30 years than Paul Johnson. His interest began when he started a program in 1988 in Hawaii so his daughter, Erin, would be able to participate in sport. Paul moved on to Texas in 1991 where he continued his dedication to track and field. Paul coached many athletes in his coaching years, taking them to junior nationals each year. He served as a coach for the Junior Team USA that traveled to Australia. His most well-known coaching achievement was when Erin reached the Paralympic pinnacle.
Paul was not only a coach but was also a well known USATF official throughout the United States. He officiated at Junior Nationals, U.S. Paralympic Trials and attended the ITO training in Beijing. Paul served in many volunteer roles during his time with Adaptive Sports USA, including as a member of the Board of Directors; the Adaptive Track & Field USA Board of Directors; the Coaches Education Committee; the Officials Training Committee and the Event Sanctioning Committee.
Paul volunteered countless hours and traveled on his own dime to be a helping hand for regional meets across the country. He was always the first to lend a hand prior to competition, setting up online registration forms, overseeing the weights and measures and lining the pits for field the following day. He was there to help with data input one day during registration; working with the timing system the next. Paul was comfortable on the track, whether it was acting as head official or serving as the starter. There was no chore related to Track & Field that Paul wasn’t willing to do. If you worked with Paul, you knew that he would be meticulous in making sure that everything ran smoothly, recognizing all of the potential problems and pitfalls. This ability came from his 21 years of service in the United States Marine Corps.
Paul was one of the main reasons that Adaptive Sports USA was able to continue on with its mission of inclusion for adaptive athletes. He was instrumental in the implementation of the Texas High School Interscholastic Track and Field program. Paul had a heart of gold and always wanted to make sure everyone had the opportunity to participate in sport.
Paul started as a parent of a child with a disability who competed, but remained in the organization long after Erin stopped competing. Paul was a staple in the fabric of Adaptive Sports USA.
