AFCA Release (Pdf)
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's University senior running back Stephen Johnson (Mahtomedi, Minn.) was listed as a nominee for the 2012 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team on Tuesday, July 17.
Johnson is one of 117 nominees from Divisions I, II, III, and the NAIA, for the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. As one of college football's most prestigious off-the-field honors, the award recognizes a select group of college football players committed to making a difference in their communities. Since 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team has shown a spotlight on the countless “good works” and remarkable stories of service by student-athletes at all levels of college football competition. Award recipients represent the sport's finest in terms of character and leadership in the community.
As a sustainability intern at SJU, Johnson worked on the plans to build a water transport system and greenhouse in Yambiro, Ecuador, during spring semester 2012. Last month, he completed the internship by implementing the water transport system and greenhouse in Yambiro, and taught children of the village art and science.
As an E-Scholar at the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, Johnson is involved in the construction of a winter-vegetable greenhouse on the SJU campus, which will supply dining services with fresh vegetables throughout the year beginning this winter.
Outside of the classroom, Johnson has also created two businesses on campus: Wienie Wagon (an on-campus hot dog stand) and co-created Dr. Steve's Grilled Cheese, a popular made-to-order eatery that offers dorm delivery on the SJU campus.
An environmental studies major, Johnson volunteered at St. Cloud Southside Boys and Girls Club during fall 2010.
In high school, Johnson logged hours for National Honor Society at Mahtomedi High School and served as a volunteer tutor during the summer months. He also participated in the Walk for Education, walking 33 miles to raise money for school supplies for children in Africa in 2007 and volunteered at the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul, serving meals to community members, in 2006.
A 2011 All-MIAC second-team selection, Johnson led the Johnnies in rushing attempts (167), rushing yards (745), all-purpose yards (887) and touchdowns (7) last fall. He has started each of the last 22 games for the Johnnies at running back and enters the 2012 season needing 49 rushing yards to crack the Johnnies' vaunted top 15 rushing list, and one catch to move into eighth in career receptions among SJU running backs. Johnson ended the 2011 campaign with 390 career carries for 1,764 yards (4.5 average) and 13 touchdowns, as well as 62 receptions for 467 yards (7.5 average) and four touchdowns.
When the football season is complete, Johnson trades a football for a lacrosse stick. He is a three-time Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) All-America first-team defender, a three-time MCLA Scholar Athlete and a three-time Upper Midwest Lacrosse League (UMLL) All-Conference first-team selection on SJU's nationally-ranked club team. The 2010 UMLL Rookie of the Year and the 2011 UMLL Defensive Player of the Year, Johnson boasts 11 points (7g/4a) and 113 ground balls in 52 career games.
He volunteered as a youth summer lacrosse coach for the Mahtomedi Youth Lacrosse Association for six summers from 2006-11.
From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members and prominent college football media members will select two 11-player Good Works Teams – one comprised of players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and another representing players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the NAIA. The final roster of 22 award recipients will be unveiled in September.
The Johnnies report to Collegeville on Saturday, Aug. 11, with the first practice scheduled for the following day. Head coach John Gagliardi officially begins his record 64th season and landmark 60th season in Collegeville against Northwestern at 1 p.m. Sept. 1 at Clemens Stadium. College football's all-time wins leader, Gagliardi begins the 2012 season with a 484-133-11 (.779) career record and a 460-127-10 (.779) record at SJU.
