University of North Dakota Athletics

  Johnson, who came to UND from Cheyenne, Wyo., lettered many times in each sport he participated in. He lettered in football 1936-38, basketball 1936-39 and three times in track 1936-39. Hoss was widely known as an outstanding trackman and ranks among North Dakota's all-time greats in that sport. He was named the Outstanding North Central Conference Athlete in 1937-38. In track he set conference records in the long jump of 23-2 ? and in the 100-yard dash of 9.7 seconds. He participated in the NCAA meet in 1939, finishing sixth in the 100. Johnson was also an outstanding football player on the same teams such as greats as Evan Lips and Fritz Pollard, both Hall of Famers. He earned his Degree in History in 1939 and later obtained his masters from the University of New Mexico. He served as an army artillery officer and later as a liaison pilot and retired as Lt. Colonel. There is doubt Hoss was one of America's premier athletes during his college days.