BEATRICE – A former athletic administrator for Southeast Community College in Nebraska has received a national honor.

Dan Johnson, former Southeast Community College athletic director and a current instructor, was named a recipient of the George E. Killian Award of Excellence at the 2022 National Junior College Athletic Association Convention in Birmingham, Alabama, Saturday. The award is given to individuals dedicated to the ideals of volunteerism, achievement, service, leadership, and excellence.

Johnson called it "a great honor" adding he felt humbled by the recognition. He said, “I am grateful to my peers for thinking of me regarding this recognition.”

Johnson’s SCC career has spanned almost 40 years, beginning in 1983 when he took over from Dana Altman as the men’s basketball coach at Fairbury Junior College, which later became part of SCC.  A few years later the College was moved to Beatrice, and the role of athletic director was added to Johnson's list of duties. He also served as the men’s golf coach. 

While Athletic Director at SCC, the department expanded from four sports to 10, the latest additions being men’s and women’s soccer in 2020. Johnson stepped down from the A.D. role last fall and is now an instructor and chair of the social science department on the Beatrice Campus.   

He has served as an NJCAA Region IX men’s director since 2007. Johnson was unable to attend the session when the award was presented.  He said, “I had all of these texts congratulating me on the award from Birmingham,” and, “It was never on my radar that I would receive this award, and needless to say…I was flabbergasted." 

The George E. Killian Award is open to all regional directors, assistant regional directors, coaches association presidents, presidential representatives and officers with a minimum of two years of service to the NJCAA. Two recipients are named annually, and a $500 stipend is awarded to the recipient’s region.