Growing up in Madison Wisconsin the name Johnson in regards to the University of Wisconsin Hockey team was very well known. Bob Johnson was a legendary coach for the hockey team for 15 years leading the team to three (3) National titles. He was so well known and tied to the University of Wisconsin that his nick name was Badger Bob.
Well, Badger Bob happened to have a child named Mark Johnson. Mark was a local hockey star at Madison Memorial High School while I was going to a competing high school in the Madison area. After high school, Mark played hockey under his Dad at the University of Wisconsin – during his time at UW, Mark was the WCHA Rookie of the year, two (2) time All-American, and lead the Badgers to the NCAA National Hockey title in 1977. Mark ended his career at UW as the leading goal scorer in school history.
Mark then went on to be a star player on the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Hockey team that upset the Russians and went on to win the Gold Medal. He scored two goals (the final score was 4-3) in probably the most famous hockey game ever “Miracle on ice” when the USA team beat the Russians.
Mark also spent eleven (11) years as a professional hockey player becoming a NHL All-Star in 1984. He is a member of the University of Wisconsin Hall of Fame and also a member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
Mark is now the coach of the UW Women’s Hockey team which happens to be the two (2) time defending National Champions having won the title in both 2006 and 2007. The women’s team is also ranked 1st in the nation this year.
So, I was a bit surprised when at the IronMan Wisconsin dinner – I noticed a gentleman that looked a lot like Mark Johnson. Not too sure if it was Mark or not, so I just continued on with my meal.
Well, about a half-hour after I finished my IronMan – I heard Mike Riley announce “Mark Johnson you are an IronMan” and then go on to announce that he was the coach of the UW Women’s Hockey team. Mark finished with a great time of 14:37.
With my time of 14:11, I can always say that “I finished in front of a Legend”.
Great job Mark…
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1 comment:
That is really cool!
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