Hall of Fame

Chris Johnson

  • Class
    2005
  • Induction
    2012
  • Sport(s)
    Track & Field/Cross Country

A native of El Dorado, Ark., Johnson became the first male athlete in UALR history to not only become a three-time All-American, but also be named to two All-America teams in the same year. In 2002, Johnson became both an indoor and outdoor All-America selection after placing 10th at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the 60-meter dash and advancing to the semifinals of the 100-meter dash at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Johnson went back to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2005 and placed sixth in the 100-meter dash to collect his third All-America honor.

"UALR provided me with a great opportunity to run, especially under coach (Milton) Williams," said Johnson. "My career really picked up when he got there. But UALR also provided me with an education, and it allowed me to basically excel in life."

Additionally, Johnson won a total of five Sun Belt Conference individual championships in his time at UALR, claiming titles in the indoor 55-meter dash, the outdoor 100-meter dash and both the indoor and outdoor 200-meter races. In 2006, he was named to both the Indoor and Outdoor All-Time Sun Belt Track and Field teams. 

Johnson was also highly successful in the classroom, becoming both an indoor and outdoor Academic All-America selection in 2002, in addition to being named to the SBC Academic Honor Roll in each of his years on campus.

Johnson spent three years running on the European track circuit after graduating from UALR with a degree in exercise science in 2005. Currently, he teaches physical education at the Hamilton Learning Academy in Little Rock and is in his seventh year serving as an assistant coach for the football and track and field teams at Little Rock Central High School. With hopes of becoming an education administrator, Johnson is pursuing his master's degree in educational leadership at Arkansas State and is expected to graduate this summer.

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