Coyote Sports Hall of Fame
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T.R. Johnson had a brief but illustrious career at South Dakota. "T.R." started for the 1912 Coyotes and also specialized in the hammer throw in track but then transferred to Syracuse, where he was a two-year regular at tackle (1914-15).
South Dakota's 1912 team is considered one of the best South Dakota teams ever. The team lost only to Michigan (7-6) and shutout Minnesota (10-0). USD defeated SDSU (73-6), North Dakota (44-0), and Creighton University (68-0) during that spectacular season. The 1915 Syracuse team went 9-1-2 and declined a Rose Bowl berth. Johnson was named on the second unit of at least three newspapers' All-American teams.
The Sioux Falls native returned to USD in 1916 as an assistant coach, a point at which he introduced wrestling to Vermillion. After distinguished World War I service, Johnson earned a law degree and practiced in Sioux Falls. He was named a Letterman of Distinction in 1969 by the Syracuse Varisty Club.
Photo is from the USD Athletics Archives.
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