Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Wrestling Coach Honored by National Wrestling Hall of Fame
June 08, 2001 | Wrestling
June 8, 2001
Princeton, N.J. - Former Princeton wrestling coach, John Johnston, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the New Jersey Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on April 22. Johnston led the Tigers wrestling team from 1964-1993, and his 382 are the best in history of the program. In fact, Jimmy Reed, who coached Princeton wrestling from 1934-64, is second all-time at Princeton with 109 wins, and Johnston's has 207 more wins at Princeton than all the other coaches in the program's history have combined. He coached 10 Ivy League champions and one EIWA team champion (in 1978).
A native of Clearfield, Pa., Johnston was a standout wrestler at both the high school and collegiate levels, as he won the PIAA 112-pound title in 1952 and was a three-time EIWA champion while at Penn State. In addition, he won the 130-pound NCAA title as a junior in college.
He officiated dual meets and tournaments of the EIWA and the championship tournaments of the NAIA and NCAA. He served on the NCAA Wrestling Sports Committee for five years, chairing it from 1979-1983. Johnston was also a member of the Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors from 1979-1983.
Currently retired, Johnston lives with his wife Elaine in Lambertville, N.J., and he continues to be involved with the NCAA in their drug testing programs.