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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Businessman, Former Football Player 'GivesBack' By Establishing Scholarship Endowment
6/8/2005 | Football
June 8, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - Larry L. Johnson of Jackson wants to help young men benefit from the same opportunity in life he received: a football scholarship to the University of Mississippi that enabled him to participate in the sport he loved while pursuing degrees for a successful career.
The retired BellSouth executive - whose football career at Forest High School in Scott County captured the attention of UM coaches - has established a scholarship endowment with more than $100,000. The first in his family to attend college, Johnson received an athletics scholarship that allowed him to earn two business degrees and play wingback and outside linebacker on three championship football teams (1961, '62 and '63).
"It would be difficult to fully explain the thrill of those times and those moments," Johnson said. "Over the years I have tried to show the depth of my gratitude by supporting and participating in university programs and events. Creating this endowed scholarship is just one more way to repay Ole Miss. I hope it helps some individuals to benefit from the same exciting and fulfilling experiences that I have had - and continue to have - through my association with the university."
Chancellor Robert Khayat said the new scholarship endowment is the latest in a long list of contributions of resources and time Johnson has shared with his alma mater.
"Larry Johnson embodies the idea of a loyal alumnus: He gives of his time and shares his personal resources to strengthen the University of Mississippi, as well as frequently returns to campus to participate in events," Khayat said. "The university is profoundly grateful for this new scholarship endowment that reflects Larry's great affection for Ole Miss and appreciation for his experiences."
UM Intercollegiate Athletics Director Pete Boone said Johnson is building an important legacy that will impact the lives of many students.
"Larry Johnson knows firsthand the benefits from playing a sport - benefits earned by learning the value of discipline, responsibility, leadership and teamwork," Boone said. "We want our student-athletes to follow great role models such as Larry. He excelled in football and earned academic degrees that allowed him to pursue a fulfilling career and serve his community. We thank Larry for this generous endowment that will help many students to follow in his footsteps."
Johnson - who stipulated in the scholarships agreement that preference should be given to Scott County football signees when possible - said that what a person learns through football is much of the same lessons needed for life.
"You always recall things you learned on the practice field, mainly that preparation and discipline are absolutely necessary to play the game. This scholarship endowment is a way for me to contribute to an Ole Miss program and help young people. It came naturally to want to give back to those who helped me," Johnson said.
Known to the Ole Miss family as "Larry Leo," Johnson has been active in the M Club alumni chapter for athletes. He served on the M Club's board of directors and organized and directed many reunions for the teams on which he played. As Student M Club president in 1963, Johnson helped establish the J.W. Davidson Scholarship fund to honor the legendary Ole Miss coach and has been a regular contributor since that time. He also is a Loyalty Foundation member.
Johnson, who holds undergraduate and master's degrees in business, is past chair of the Business Advisory Board at the UM School of Business Administration, worked to attract private gifts for the school's recent expansion and is a major contributor to the Business Order. He also has guest lectured under the business school's Otho Smith Fellows Program.
An active civic leader in Jackson, Johnson continues to give of his time and resources in the community. He is a deacon of First Baptist Church; president of the Mississippi Ballet International; and board member of the Andrew Jackson Council Boy Scouts of America, Friends of Mississippi Educational Broadcasting and Preservation of Sight.
The 33-year veteran BellSouth executive retired in 2000. Both of Johnson's sons graduated from Ole Miss: Rick Johnson in business administration and Scott Johnson in engineering. Larry and his wife, Rita Parks Johnson, live in Madison, and they have a blended family of five. Johnson also is the grandfather of two: Rick Johnson's children, Evie, 6, and Will, 3.
