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Edgar Johnson

American swimmer, coach and athletic director

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About Edgar Johnson

Edgar Johnson was an American.

University of Delaware He began his studies at University of Delaware in the fall of 1962, and swam for Coach Harry Rawstrom from around 1962-66, setting a total of nine school records, including marks in the 100 and 200-yard butterfly events. Johnson's mentor, Coach Rawstrom was a fixture at U. of Delaware and served as swimming coach for 35 years from 1946-1981. Rawstrom was inducted into the U. of Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame. The U. of Delaware swimming pool in Carpenter Sports Center is named in his honor.

Participating as a Freshman swimming for the University of Delaware in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on December 8, 1962, Johnson scored a win in the 500 and 200 freestyle events and was a member of the winning 4x100 freestyle relay though the team lost to Franklin and Marshall. Johnson served as a swim team Captain twice, and was a member of two record-breaking relay teams which included a new university record time of 3:31.5 for the 4 x 100 yard freestyle relay. He established a new University 200-yard freestyle record with a 1:56.7 in February 1966 in a win against Temple.

Johnson set a new Delaware state record when he improved on his 200 butterfly with a time of 2:12.8 in the 1965 season, in what Coach Rawstrom considered, "the season's top individual accomplishment". Continuing to improve as a Senior, he swam the 200 fly in new record time of 2:09.9 and set a new school record in the 4x100-yard medley relay of 4:00.7 in a winning meet against LeHigh in Bethlaham in January 1966, improving the team to 4-1. On February 26, 1966, he lowered his 200 butterfly time to a first place 2:09.6 and was on the winning 400 Medley Relay team in the final meet of the season against Georgetown, helping to lead the team to a greatly improved season record of 11-1.

While majoring in Physical Education at Delaware, he earned a bachelor's degree in 1967; he later received a master's degree in education from the university in 1969, which by 1970 included a major in Guidance and Counseling. He also served as assistant track coach in 1975–79.

Championship women's swim team In 1979, he became head coach of the women's swim team at Delaware amassing an impressive 58–4 record, which included a string of 42 consecutive wins between 1979 and 1982. His women's swim team at Delaware twice won the EAIAW Division II Eastern Championships, the 80-81, and 81-82 seasons. Their 42 consecutive streak of dual meet wins was not broken until January 29, 1983 when they lost to Drexel. Taking it in stride, Johnson remarked, "our luck ran out".

Johnson was named head coach of the men's swimming team in 1981, as well as Director of Aquatics, and compiled an 18–9 career record through his tenure in 1984 when he was appointed Director of Athletics.

U. of Delaware athletic director In September 1984, Johnson was named athletic director for the University of Delaware. During his time in the position, he oversaw construction of a new men's and women's basketball venue, known as the Bob Carpenter Center. He also oversaw Delaware's first artificial surface facility at Fred P. Rullo Stadium, and major renovations of Delaware Stadium, Delaware Field House, and Carpenter Sports Building.

Johnson served as Vice-President of the East Coast Conference in 1987–90. He was a Chairman of the Atlantic 10 Football Executive Committee in 1997–98 and served as President of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), Delaware's latest athletic conference, for the 2006–07 and 2007–08 academic years. During his tenure, his teams were awarded 10 consecutive America East Commissioner’s Cup Awards, won a total of 83 titles in their conferences, and appeared in 32 NCAA Championships. In 2014, he was awarded the James Lynah Service Award for contributions to college athletics by the Eastern College Athletic Conference.

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Important facts

Nationality
Also known as
Edgar N. Johnson

Frequently asked questions

Who was Edgar Johnson?

American swimmer, coach and athletic director

What nationality was Edgar Johnson?

Edgar Johnson was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Edgar Johnson

· Wikidata: Q124655370

· DBpedia: Edgar Johnson (athletic director)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Edgar Johnson. https://biography.guide/edgar-johnson-qb2fab1a6/

MLA: "Edgar Johnson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/edgar-johnson-qb2fab1a6/.

Chicago: "Edgar Johnson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/edgar-johnson-qb2fab1a6/.

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