Year Inducted: 1977
Nominated By: Eugene Rike
Sports Competed In: Basketball, Football
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Contributor
Leland S. Johnson
High School:
Attended Pueblo Centennial H.S., graduating in 1940.
Achievements:
High School:
● Played four years (1936-39) of football, basketball and track.
● All-Conference and All-State quarterback for the Bulldogs in 1939.
● Still holds the record of Pueblo's All-time punter and was known by his nickname "Coffin Corner".
● Led the team to a runner-up finish in the state playoffs.
● Starting guard on the basketball team that won the state championship in 1940 (the last time a Pueblo team won the State Championship in Basketball).
● Earned second team All-State in basketball.
● Played guard on the All-Star basketball team that traveled to Trinidad and played their All-Star Team (after the service) and a few games at guard for Bear Axel.
● Competed in the javelin and dash events as a member of the Bulldogs track team.
College:
Went Colorado University for three years (1940-43).
Achievements:
Military:
● Softball pitcher for the Navy ROTC... He pitched the team to a third place finish in the State Tournament.
● Member of two State Softball Championship Teams between 1935 and 1944.
● Pitched for Michigan State while in the service and led the team to the Cadet Championship.
Related Activities:
Played baseball for the American Legion and the La Junta Army Air Base as a shortstop/relief pitcher.
Contributions:
Sponsor for the Johnson's Warriors basketball team that competed in the city league.
Occupation:
Entrepreneur: Johnson’s Sporting Goods; The Pant Rack; & The Girl Next Door.
Personal:
Lives in Pueblo with his wife, "Bea" Beatrice.
