Curt Johnson ’87 Credits His Success to Building Relationships

GAME DAY Students and alumni support outstanding athletes Growing Soccer on His Home Turf Curt Johnson ’87 Credits His Success to Building Relationships As part of Raleigh’s bid for a Major League Soccer expansion team, local sports, business and community leaders have proposed building a stadium downtown Long before he was the driving force behind professional soccer in the Triangle, CURT JOHNSON ’87 was a seven-year-old realizing he could be good at sports. He credits the relationships he built with teachers and coaches, including Ravenscroft physical education teacher Jimmy Cox and soccer coach Ed Yohman, as critical influences in his development. IMMY COX brought out a person. He was a leader and a man inducted into the North Carolina love of sports in me, even as a of high character.” Soccer Hall of Fame in 2013. “J second-grader, ” Johnson said. Yohman agreed. “Curt had the Johnson is quick to say it’s the “He built my self-confidence that rare ability to make a team or class relationships he’s built that have helped me develop my athletic ability.” rise up and excel beyond the group’s had the greatest impact on his That encouragement would soon belief. His success comes from his life. WRAL sports anchor Rick pay off, as Johnson’s skill and leader- willingness to think independently Sullivan gave Johnson the internship ship helped propel the boys varsity and his tremendous work ethic and that cultivated his understanding soccer team to two state titles, in 1983 determination. We are all fortunate of sports broadcasting. His college and 1986, and four straight victories to have had Curt touch our lives.” soccer coach, George Tarantini, and at the Ravenscroft Invitational Soccer Johnson went on to play soccer at his Spanish professor and her hus- Tournament. But his legacy at Raven- NC State University, starting all four band — who worked in athletics at scroft, celebrated with his induction years and serving as team captain Duke University — helped Johnson into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame his senior year. The team racked up get his foot in the door at Adidas, in 1998, isn’t just about soccer. the most wins in the school’s history where he served as the Midwest “I can go on and on about how that year, winning the 1990 ACC region’s marketing manager. good an athlete Curt is,” Cox said tournament and finishing the sea- These experiences laid the ground- recently, “but he is an even better son ranked No. 2 nationally. He was work for Johnson’s career in sports 34 RavenscRoft magazine by Stacy Calfo management. He has served as vice fessional men’s soccer [Major League Growing Soccer on His Home Turf president of operations and general Soccer] to the Triangle alongside the manager for the Richmond Kickers, North Carolina Courage, the highest Curt Johnson ’87 Credits His Success to Building Relationships general manager of the Kansas City level of women’s professional soccer.” “We are trying to grow the Wizards, director of marketing for Johnson honors the relationships game in all aspects, from the Carolina Hurricanes, and senior he has cultivated as he leads efforts vice president for US Club Soccer in to enhance the Triangle community spectators to gender Charleston, South Carolina. through sports. He considers Raven- In 2011, Johnson returned to scroft home — in fact, his second job equality to facilities and North Carolina as president and was as Ravenscroft’s first full-time general manager of the Carolina director of alumni affairs, and he affordability for many RailHawks, now North Carolina FC, also coached our boys and girls participants of all ages.” and the North Carolina Courage, soccer teams — and points to his part of the National Women’s Soc- experiences here as the launching —CURT JOHNSON ’87 cer League. He has played a key role pad for his accomplishments. in building a partnership between “I have been very fortunate to Raleigh’s Capital Area Soccer League have incredibly supportive parents and the Triangle Futbol Club and family and outstanding friends, Alliance, creating the largest youth- coaches and teachers. All of these to-pro soccer program in the country. relationships have played a role in And now Johnson is spearheading my path as a person and my career,” Raleigh’s bid to bring a Major League Johnson said. “From second grade Soccer team to Raleigh. Johnson and P.E. through college, my connec- other business and community lead- tions and relationships have led to ers are passionate about their proposal my success.” R to nab an MLS expansion team, with plans to build a major-league stadium downtown. “We are trying to grow the game in all aspects, from spectators to gender equality to facilities and affordability for many participants of all ages,” Johnson said. “Our goal is bringing the highest level of pro- CURT JOHNSON ’87 JOHNSON on the field during an NC State soccer match JOHNSON (center, back row) on Ravenscroft’s 1986 state-championship team JOHNSON and his NC State co-captain, Henry Gutierrez summeR 2018 35.

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