May 5, 2021
DENNIS JOHNSON
Patron Milo Western Relays 1997
"DJ" Exemplary Athlete, Administrator and Coach
In an era in which sprinters such as Jamaican born Canadian sprinting sensation Donavon Bailey and the American Superhuman, Michael Johnson are wreaking havoc with their amazing world record breaking feats, Jamaicans, cognizant of our country's enviable history in athletics, can look back with pride, knowing that there was an era in which our own Dennis Johnson was the toast of World Athletics, equaling the World's 100 yards record four times in one season.
Johnson who is one of the most respected track coach in Jamaica, first came to prominence in the mid 50's when he represented Calabar High School as a budding young sprinter at the Boys Athletic Championships. After sounding a strong warning in the lower classes in 1956 and 1957, Johnson rose to full national attention in 1958 when he broke the Class One 100 yards record clocking 9.8 seconds to win the gold. He later returned to capture first place in the 220 yards finals
With a solid reputation as a quality sprinter, Johnson left Jamaica in 1959 for Bakersfield Junior College in the United States, where he spent two years, then moved on to San Jose State University. It was there that he had the enviable distinction of equaling the world's 100 yards record of 9.3 seconds on four occasions in one season.
Johnson was an integral part of Jamaica's athletics campaign between 1959 and 1964.After making his debut with a bronze medal as part of the 4x100 yards relay team at the 1959 Pan
Am games, he was selected for the 1960 Olympic games in Rome where he reached the quarter-finals in the 100 and semi-finals in the 200.
Johnson, who was making quite a name for himself on the European circuit, winning prestigious events such as the 100 yards at the Modest Relays, collected his second Bronze for Jamaica when he anchored the 4X100yards relay team to third place at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia. Two years later he was back in the Olympics, helping Jamaica to equal the 4X100 yards record in one of the early rounds at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Jamaica placed fourth in the finals.
With a recurring muscle injury, preventing him from displaying his best form, DJ retired from competitive track and field after the '64 Olympics and went fulltime into sports administration.
In 1967, he took a job with Carreras in their Sports Development Project and was later seconded to CAST ( now UTECH) as a track coach.
At CAST, DJ proved to be an exceptional coach, producing quality athletes such as National representatives, Evon Clarke and Anthony and Michael Davis. In addition he was instrumental in the formation of the awesome Bolts of Lightening relay team, the first Jamaican team to run under 40 seconds in the 4X100 metres on local soil. The Bolts had the distinction of winning eight consecutive national Club championship titles over the 4X100 metres distance.
Johnson, whose CAST team has won the intercollegiate titles 13 times in the past 14 years, has been a dedicated fan of the Milo Western Relays since it's inception over 15 years ago.
" I marked out the track for the very first staging of this meet" Johnson said. " This meet is very good for our athletes, as it gives them a chance to test their readiness prior to Champs and the other major meets".
Johnson who is affectionately known in sporting circles as "DJ" has been chosen as the Patron of the 1997 Milo Western Relays based on his contribution to athletics. There is no question that this honor is richly deserved... and as the west honors this sporting giant, all of Jamaica should join in. Hats off to Dennis Johnson - athlete, administrator and coach extraordinaire. Paul Reid 1997
May 2021
I am glad that this tribute was made while Dr. "DJ" was still with us. He was very happy to receive it.
Milo Western Relays would not be what it is today without his contribution. He was a very valuable friend to me and to the meet.
It will be very difficult to adjust to life without his presence, but his mission, that of developing Jamaica track and field will continue.
Ray Harvey
Meet Director
Milo Western Relays
.
Patron Milo Western Relays 1997
"DJ" Exemplary Athlete, Administrator and Coach
In an era in which sprinters such as Jamaican born Canadian sprinting sensation Donavon Bailey and the American Superhuman, Michael Johnson are wreaking havoc with their amazing world record breaking feats, Jamaicans, cognizant of our country's enviable history in athletics, can look back with pride, knowing that there was an era in which our own Dennis Johnson was the toast of World Athletics, equaling the World's 100 yards record four times in one season.
Johnson who is one of the most respected track coach in Jamaica, first came to prominence in the mid 50's when he represented Calabar High School as a budding young sprinter at the Boys Athletic Championships. After sounding a strong warning in the lower classes in 1956 and 1957, Johnson rose to full national attention in 1958 when he broke the Class One 100 yards record clocking 9.8 seconds to win the gold. He later returned to capture first place in the 220 yards finals
With a solid reputation as a quality sprinter, Johnson left Jamaica in 1959 for Bakersfield Junior College in the United States, where he spent two years, then moved on to San Jose State University. It was there that he had the enviable distinction of equaling the world's 100 yards record of 9.3 seconds on four occasions in one season.
Johnson was an integral part of Jamaica's athletics campaign between 1959 and 1964.After making his debut with a bronze medal as part of the 4x100 yards relay team at the 1959 Pan
Am games, he was selected for the 1960 Olympic games in Rome where he reached the quarter-finals in the 100 and semi-finals in the 200.
Johnson, who was making quite a name for himself on the European circuit, winning prestigious events such as the 100 yards at the Modest Relays, collected his second Bronze for Jamaica when he anchored the 4X100yards relay team to third place at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia. Two years later he was back in the Olympics, helping Jamaica to equal the 4X100 yards record in one of the early rounds at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Jamaica placed fourth in the finals.
With a recurring muscle injury, preventing him from displaying his best form, DJ retired from competitive track and field after the '64 Olympics and went fulltime into sports administration.
In 1967, he took a job with Carreras in their Sports Development Project and was later seconded to CAST ( now UTECH) as a track coach.
At CAST, DJ proved to be an exceptional coach, producing quality athletes such as National representatives, Evon Clarke and Anthony and Michael Davis. In addition he was instrumental in the formation of the awesome Bolts of Lightening relay team, the first Jamaican team to run under 40 seconds in the 4X100 metres on local soil. The Bolts had the distinction of winning eight consecutive national Club championship titles over the 4X100 metres distance.
Johnson, whose CAST team has won the intercollegiate titles 13 times in the past 14 years, has been a dedicated fan of the Milo Western Relays since it's inception over 15 years ago.
" I marked out the track for the very first staging of this meet" Johnson said. " This meet is very good for our athletes, as it gives them a chance to test their readiness prior to Champs and the other major meets".
Johnson who is affectionately known in sporting circles as "DJ" has been chosen as the Patron of the 1997 Milo Western Relays based on his contribution to athletics. There is no question that this honor is richly deserved... and as the west honors this sporting giant, all of Jamaica should join in. Hats off to Dennis Johnson - athlete, administrator and coach extraordinaire. Paul Reid 1997
May 2021
I am glad that this tribute was made while Dr. "DJ" was still with us. He was very happy to receive it.
Milo Western Relays would not be what it is today without his contribution. He was a very valuable friend to me and to the meet.
It will be very difficult to adjust to life without his presence, but his mission, that of developing Jamaica track and field will continue.
Ray Harvey
Meet Director
Milo Western Relays
.