RIP Marshall Johnson

I'll step out from behind my usual screen name for a minute to pass along news that Marshall Johnson, retired Virginia AP sports editor, died last night from complication of pneumonia.

Marshall was in his early 90s and, in retirement, continued to be the prep guru in Virginia. His detailed "best of" lists were a great resource for prep writers.

He was a fixture at state basketball tournaments, stringing for AP. Because the Virginia High School League named its sportsmanship award the Marshall Johnson Award, he was on the court for the trophy presentations and, notepad in hand, interviewed the winning coach before any of us other ink-stained wretches has a chance ... and no one complained.

The Virginia High School Coaches Association also named its media award after Marshall. I was honored to receive that award a few years ago from Marshall himself. A highlight of my career, no doubt.

He will be missed.

 

Shit. That sucks. Hashing out all-state teams with him was an education in itself. I didn't know it was possible to know so much about high school sports.

 

Got the news last night. I only knew him during his retirement years, and he was still on my list of journalists that I aspire to be compared to. Great person and an encyclopedia of Virginia sports.

 

Mr. Marshall Johnson was one of the finest gentlemen that I've had the pleasure to meet in this whacky business. Always had a kind word to say and would give you tips on how to make your job easier. This truly saddens me as well. RIP.