Photo: Edgar Johnson (left) receives the UD Medal of Distinction from UD Board of Trustees member Ruly Carpenter (Photo by Mark Campbell)

NEWARK, Del. -- Longtime University of Delaware Director of Athletics Edgar N. Johnson, who will retire at the end of this month, received the prestigious UD Medal of Distinction as part of his retirement ceremony Wednesday night at the Bob Carpenter Center.

Johnson, whose 25-year tenure as athletics director is one of the longest among current collegiate directors, was presented with the award by Ruly Carpenter, a member of the UD Board of Trustees since 1990 and chair of the Athletics Visiting Committee.

The University's Medal of Distinction honors individuals who have made humanitarian, cultural, intellectual or scientific contributions to society; have achieved noteworthy success in their professions; or have given significant service to the University, the state and the region.

Over 200 family, friends, and colleagues were on hand Wednesday night to honor Johnson. Among those making special presentations were current UD President Pat Harker, UD President Emeritus David Roselle, Colonial Athletic Association Commissioner Tom Yeager, and current UD women’s basketball head coach Tina Martin, who represented the coaches of Delaware’s 23-sport athletic program. Yeager’s presentation included a personal letter of congratulations from NCAA President Myles Brand.

In addition to the Medal of Distinction, President Harker also announced the formation of The Edgar N. Johnson Jr. Athletic Scholarship Endowment, which will be presented each year to a UD student-athlete who demonstrates the characteristics of leadership, commitment, and integrity that have been the hallmarks of Johnson’s outstanding career at Delaware. To make a gift to the endowment, contact Director of Athletics Development Scarlett Schmidt at 302-831-6276 or go online to www.udaf.udel.edu.

Carpenter read the following resolution that was prepared by the UD Board of Trustees in presenting the Medal of Distinction honor to Johnson.

WHEREAS, Edgar N. Johnson has led the University of Delaware's athletics program through an era of sweeping change and has garnered unprecedented success during his 25-year tenure as the University's Director of Athletics and Recreation Services; and

WHEREAS, Edgar Johnson, who is only the third person to hold the position of Director of Athletics at Delaware since 1940, has so ably maintained the high standards established by his esteemed predecessors Bill Murray and David Nelson, always keeping in the forefront the needs of the students, serving as counselor, mentor, role model and friend; and

WHEREAS, during Edgar Johnson's tenure, University of Delaware scholar-athletes have demonstrated unprecedented success both in the classroom and on the playing field, with 32 NCAA Tournament appearances, including an NCAA Division I-AA Football National Championship in 2003 and a first-ever trip to the NCAA Final Four in Men's Lacrosse in 2007, and with 83 conference regular season and tournament team titles; and

WHEREAS, Edgar Johnson has guided the improvement of the University's athletic facilities, among them the construction of the 5,000-seat multi-purpose home of the UD men's and women's basketball, the Bob Carpenter Center; the University's first artificial surface facility at Rullo Stadium, and extensive renovations of Delaware Stadium, Delaware Field House, and Carpenter Sports Building; and

WHEREAS, Edgar Johnson, whose own coaching success with the Blue Hen women's swimming team resulted in an impressive 59-4 record that included 42 consecutive dual meet wins and in three of his former swimmers being inducted into the University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Edgar Johnson, a native Delawarean and a proud UD alumnus, has had an immeasurable influence on countless individuals who have participated in or were spectators of varsity sports, intramural teams, clubs and recreational programs throughout his tenure as Director of Athletics and Recreation Services.”

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby acknowledges, with heartfelt gratitude, the many and valued contributions of Edgar Johnson to the University of Delaware community and to the fans of Blue Hen athletics everywhere;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees salutes Edgar Johnson and hereby presents to him the University of Delaware Medal of Distinction.