Jim Johnson

Jim Johnson is a high school basketball coach first and foremost, but a few inspiring moments on an evening in 2006 has since led to a secondary career as a motivational speaker with a team-building message that resonates with business and civic organizations around the country. His kindhearted gesture of giving an autistic student (now known affectionately as “J-Mac”) on his team the chance to make his dream come true has captivated the hearts of millions of Americans. How could it not? With the help of his teammates, J-Mac scored twenty points (including six three-point baskets) in just over four minutes, becoming an instant national celebrity.

Following that memorable evening, Johnson was named Coach of the Year by several Rochester-area organizations, and was also presented with a National Sportsmanship Award. He has been featured in major news outlets around the country, making a number of radio and television appearances, including the Oprah Winfrey and Jim Rome shows. He has met President George W. Bush, Governor George Pataki, and Senator Hillary Clinton, to name just a few luminaries. His team was paid a visit at school by NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, and J-Mac's magical moment won the ESPY for "Best Sports Moment" at the ESPN awards show later that year.

The coach has rolled his accomplishments and experiences into a presentation he very appropriately titled "Dreams Really Do Come True”, and his one-hour talk also emphasizes "The Essence of Teamwork" and "The Ultimate Level of Sportsmanship." Appearing before businesses, youth groups, churches, and other such organizations, Coach Johnson delivers his message with a heartfelt style that has brought audiences to their feet.

Coach Johnson lives in Greece, New York, with his wife of twenty-eight, Pat, and their young adult son Tyler. He is still a physical-education teacher at Athena High School and has served 14 seasons as the Trojans' varsity coach.