Wednesday, April 23, 2014
by Birgitta Gray, MSUB Sports Information

BILLINGS, Mont- Although he isn't often in the spotlight, Rec Activities Director Steve Johnson has been a guiding light in and around Montana State University Billings for the past 27 years.

After 40 years spent in outdoor recreation and university jobs all over the state of Montana, Johnson is headed for some sunnier conditions "It seemed like the right time," Johnson said about retiring from his position, "My wife is also retiring this year, and I am ready to spend my winters in a warmer climate."

Growing up in Minnesota, Steve learned to love the outdoors and every activity a person could do in every season.  "I was an Eagle Scout of course!  My dad, my mom, my sister and I all loved to be outside," Johnson says of his years growing up in Rochester.  "We were always going somewhere and doing something, canoeing, – I loved it."

How he got to Montana from Minnesota is a tale of two loves.  When Johnson was in high school he came to Big Timber, Mont to be a chaperone at a church camp, "I opened the bus door and met my wife," he said with a laugh.  "So, I had to stay."  After meeting Susan Wischmann, who was from Frazer, Mont., Johnson went to university in Missoula.  There, he got to attend a school in a place that also offered him the job of head climbing instructor.  "Coolest job in the world," Johnson says about his time at U of M.  "I got to be a climbing instructor, and do all of these incredible climbs around the area, and then because I had this athletic background, they made me intramural supervisor including men's basketball.  It was a great opportunity."

From Missoula, Johnson was accepted into the outdoor recreation program at Bozeman for his master's degree.  For his thesis, Johnson obtained a grant from the Montana Chamber of Commerce department to work on a recreation study of Madison County.  In lieu of a written thesis, Johnson completed a total inventory of lands owned by the city and county in order to determine what the area's indoor and outdoor recreation needs were.  "It was awesome.  To literally start an outdoor collegiate program with Mike (Canvaness) – as the grad assistant was such a phenomenal experience.  I learned so much from my time there and gained a real understanding of how to tackle such a big concept.  It was my first research project.  I surveyed over 200 people to find out what these peopled needed.  I learned how to access a community with very diverse needs, it was such an eye-opening project."
Out of Steve's involvement at Bozeman (and then later in his next job) also came the development and first conference of the 'Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education' (AORE), a national organization which would eventually become part of Recreation Services.  Today, almost every rec services in the country has an outdoor part to their program, but back in 1984, the concept was still a new one.  In fact, a memo that was handed out to the first attendees at the conference of AORE in Bozeman had the byline: 'Outdoor Recreation – A Beginning or an End?'  It is fortunate for students and staff alike, that people like Steve and Mike Cavaness had the foresight to implement such a program.

Johnson's next challenge came when he accepted a job in Billings at Rocky Mountain College in 1982.  "Well, my wife had a job in School District II and there were only four rec jobs in Montana: Bozeman, Missoula, Rocky and at the time EMC.  And in all of those positions the people had been there a long time, so when the job at Rocky opened up, I jumped at it."  The wife he mentions is the same Susan Wischmann he met 43 years ago in Big Timber.  The couple has been married almost 40 years now, and the year before the move to Rocky, Steve and Susan had a son, Spencer.  Susan has been an art and library science teacher in Billings, and Spencer is following in his mother's footsteps - he is a teacher.  Most recently Spencer has been in the Middle East teaching English.

At the Fortin Center, Johnson would take his first big steps to becoming the go-to guy for everything in recreation, and now at Rocky, in events.  "Rocky was great because I learned a little bit of everything, I ran basketball tournaments, but I was also able to teach some classes.  I taught a fantastic class called Literature in the Wilderness where students would read a book like 'Walden' and then I would take the students out into the country for a portion of the class.  It was great."

Steve also taught athletic classes like downhill and cross-country skiing, and of course climbing.  Steve's love of climbing came at a young age.  Even before he was able to climb anything, he read about it.  "Oh yes, I was always fascinated to read about places like the Himalayas.  I spent two summers in Washington, I went to Rainier, and I went to their school.  I went and climbed the Grand Teton when I was in Missoula.  I just knew it could be important to me."

When asked why he especially chose climbing Johnson didn't hesitate.  "Well, when you get done it is such a personal thing.  Especially after a really great climb you end up feeling such an inner peace.  When you can accomplish that, and put your inner fears behind you, it is so inspiring to me, and just becomes this wonderful inner quiet and peacefulness."
Unfortunately for Steve, after two torn ACL's, and two shoulder biceps that are held together with screws, plus an elbow that had to be redone, Johnson has had to give up climbing and downhill skiing.  Instead, he has found renewed passion in cycling.  For the last 20 years Steve has been an avid cycler; setting goals in and around the area. "It started when my family and I moved to the West end of Billings, it was just the perfect place to cycle.  One of the things I hope to do with my retirement is cycle every day. That would be a lot easier if I lived in Arizona part of the time," Johnson said chuckling.  "There would be less snow and ice to contend with."   Johnson has done several long rides, including the Beartooth Highway just last summer.  But, he hasn't forgotten his passion for climbing either.  Johnson has put forth his love of the sport of climbing into a new climbing wall that opened up at MSUB just this past fall.  It's a fantastic testament to both Johnson's love of the sport, and his abilities as a rec director that the wall was built.

"He has always been the first one in and the last one to leave," former Athletic Director (1994-2012) at Montana State University Billings Dr. Gary Gray said.  "I first met Steve back in 1987 when he started at MSUB and then got to work closely with him when I became the AD.  Steve was also such a hard worker, had great energy, and really knew his stuff.  One of the best things about him is his abilities as a dreamer and as a planner.  He could go away thinking about a project and come back with a strategic plan on how to get it done.  Steve has an incredible capacity as a real visionary person." 

After being at Rocky for several years, Johnson took three months off to build his house.  Yes, he built his own home.  "Well, I had some experience in carpentry," Steve said about having the right skill set.  "I lived in Ennis when I was going to school in Missoula and picked up some carpenter skills."  In fact, Johnson did just about everything; he designed it, framed it, put up the walls, shingles, "I had some help with the electric." and was ready to move in when the opportunity at Eastern Montana College became available.  Lucky for everyone at the school, Steve had the right skill set to start work at EMC.

For the last 27 years, Steve Johnson has become an integral and vital part of the University.  He has given countless hours on innumerable and varied projects, and all with the can—do spirit that makes him such a joy and absolute pleasure to be around. 

"There are many things Steve accomplishes here at MSUB which are not necessarily part of this job duties," current Montana State University Billings Athletic Director Krista Montague says about Johnson.  "He just knows what needs to be done and does it.  A recent example - our women's softball game vs. Western Washington.  It was 25 degrees out with snow flurries and Steve was front and center to help us ensure the games were played.  He was out there in the freezing cold helping to prepare the field.  He didn't have to do that and that is just one of the many times he steps up and goes the extra mile without being asked."
 
Most everyone in the department has a good memory of Steve out on the softball field.  Whether it is sitting on the tractor dragging the infield or chalking the lines; he's even shoveled snow and used sump pumps when the field has been unplayable.  He's always been willing and able to help out with anything the department needed and one of the best examples is when Johnson became Tournament Director of the MSUB hosted Desert Stinger Softball tournament in Las Vegas.

"Well, the head softball coach at the time Tony Stone was upset because he was having to travel to these tournaments and getting poor service.  So, he though what if we do a tournament?  Is there a place we can go, and break even.  Tony pitched the idea to then Chancellor Dr. Sexton who said fine, but who is going to run the tournament when you're coaching?  Basically I was voluntold to run it after the meeting, so I got the job!"
 Under Steve's direction, over the course of five years, the tournament has grown from 16 teams to 32 and is now the largest NCAA Div. II softball tournament in the country.  "It is such a fun group collaboration for me.  Every year I ask myself 'how can this get bigger and better?'  It's cool to see all of the different people that have been brought into the project to make it better.  Although it originated from the softball staff, and it is still their tournament, it's also driven by everyone in the department and people at the university as well.  I have really enjoyed being part of such a special event.  And it's always great on that last Sunday night to look back and see 'wow, we did pull it off.' It's great."

Steve Johnson's time at MSU Billings will be remembered not only for his hard work, dedication, and vision of what could be, but also his immense love of working with those around him.

"Steve was always a pleasure to work with," Dr. Gray said.  "He was a great collaborator and a wonderful colleague.  From creating the fitness center in its' current incarnation, to facility management to event management which is a great strength of his, Steve has also been there out front, leading the charge to make things around him better."

"He also never expects anything in return," Montague goes on about Johnson's spirit and personality.  "I have always viewed Steve as the person which could be relied on no matter what.  He just goes above and beyond for his students, colleagues, and this university.  He is an advocate for the active student and understands how important lessons outside of the classroom are.  Steve will be remembered as a legend at MSUB and he should be proud of his many accomplishments.  His retirement will leave an obvious void and he will be extremely difficult to replace.  I personally will not only miss his expertise, but I will miss his friendship and the positive attitude he brought to work each and every day."

As Johnson's career at Montana State University Billings comes to a close, it is only fitting that Steve's retirement celebration will take place at a softball game on the MSUB campus.  For all the wonderful gifts that Steve has given the campus, its students and staff over the years, please make sure you stop by and give a little of your time and wish Steve Johnson all the best at one of the places we in Athletics are most grateful he spent time on – our Softball Diamond.

For more information on the Activities surrounding University Day please visit the MSUB University website. The University softball game is scheduled to begin at 1:30 pm on Friday following the barbeque for clean-up volunteers taking place in front of the Student Union Building.  Desert and drinks will be served in front of Avitus Group Stadium during the student/staff softball game.  There will also be a short presentation before the game to honor Steve and all of his contributions to the University.