Sports Executive Johnson Earns Distinguished Service Award
Pictured left to right are Academy President and CEO Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich and Sheila Johnson.
United States Sports Academy President and CEO Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich presented Sheila Johnson, president of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, with a Distinguished Service Award on 5 February at the Mystics office in Washington.
Johnson was named president of the Mystics in 2005 after the team was purchased by Lincoln Holdings LLC. Previously, the women’s basketball squad was owned by Washington Sports and Entertainment, which also owns the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the NHL’s Washington Capitals. Lincoln purchased a minority share of Washington S. and E. Johnson retained part ownership in the Mystics. She is still a partner in Washington Sports and Entertainment. Johnson is the first African-American female to own part of three professional sports franchises.
Johnson is also believed to be the first African-American female billionaire. She co-founded BET in 1980, and served as executive vice president of corporate affairs. She helped build the foundation that turned the first cable network aimed at African-American viewers into a nationwide media powerhouse.
Through the Sheila Johnson Foundation, she has made it possible for inner-city students to attend some of the nation's best colleges.
Johnson is currently married to Arlington County Circuit Court Chief Judge William T. Newman. She is president and CEO of Salamander Hospitality, and is a member of the board of directors of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia and Chair of the Board of Governors at Parson The New School for Design.
The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is given annually to those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to national or international sports through instruction, research or service.
Academy Award recipients are presented with the Academy's Order of the Eagle Exemplar medal and Academy Rosette. The Academy's Order of the Eagle Exemplar medallion was designed by the Academy's Sport Artist of the Year 1990, Blair Buswell. Award recipients are also presented with the Academy Rosette, modeled after the Legion of Honour, which was instituted by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. A rosette is a symbol of recognition and affiliation.
The Distinguished Service Award has been presented by the Academy since 1984. Past honorees have included Frank DeFord, Dean Smith, Bobby Allison, Don Shula, Jimmy Connors, George Brett, Martina Navratilova, Harvey Schiller, Pat Summitt, Eddie Robinson, George Steinbrenner, Mario Lemieux, Bud Selig, Al McGuire and Nancy Lopez. For more information visit: http://www.asama.org/awards.
