Johnnies' Johnson wins national lacrosse award

Saint John's University's Stephen Johnson '13 has received the 2013 Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA)/US Lacrosse Division II Godekeraw Lacrosse Award.

The award recognizes a student-athlete who demonstrates outstanding play on the lacrosse field as well as achievement in academics. Johnson, a defenseman, is the first Johnnie to receive the award.

Johnson helped the Johnnies reach the MCLA Division II national semifinals this season. He was named an MCLA Division II First-Team All-American all four years. Lacrosse is a club sport at Saint John's.

Johnson was also a featured running back for four seasons for the SJU football team. He led the Johnnies in rushing for the second straight season with 469 yards and two touchdowns on 127 carries in 2012. Johnson started each of SJU's last 32 games at running back and ended his career fourth in school history in rushing attempts (517), sixth among running backs in receptions (80) and eighth in rushing yards (2,233).

Off the field, he was involved in the Entrepreneur Scholars program at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University. Johnson also helped develop a greenhouse which will grow greens for the SJU Dining Service.