Ralph Johnson, originally from Huntingdon, New York, on Long Island, graduated from Maryville College in 1969 and was captain of the wrestling team. He was a four-year letterman and four-time state collegiate champion as one of the stars of the program during its glory days. Johnson's combined dual meet and tournament record was 48-4. Among his accomplishments were participating in four SEC wrestling championship tournaments, where he finished first, third, first and second in his weight class. He earned the Maryville College MVP Athlete Award in 1967. Before arriving at Maryville, attended the Stony Brook School on Long Island and was the 1964 New York State Ivy Prep champion after allowing the fewest points scored against in a season with just one point. He won the Weidersum Wrestling Award as best wrestler for the school year. Johnson went on to earn his PhD at Ohio University. Before he retired, Johnson was the Director of Leadership at the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio, where he provided training for practicing school superintendents as well as consulting services to school boards. Johnson also served as the former Superintendent in Residence at Ohio State University's College of Education. Johnson died at his home in Aiken, South Carolina, on Oct. 5, 2019. He was 72.