University of Minnesota Athletics
Black History Month: Damian Johnson
2/4/2019 4:21:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Celebrating Those That Made Us Great
In honor of Black History Month, Gopher Athletics is celebrating those who made us great. Throughout February, GopherSports.com will share short interviews with African-American alumni from various Gopher programs. In these interviews, former student-athletes reflect on their time at the U of M, provide advice to current Gophers and share what Black History Month means to them personally.
Damian Johnson
Sport: Men's Basketball
Years: 2005-2010
Hometown: Thibodaux, La.
Occupation: Head Boy's Basketball
What is it you honestly miss most about the University?
I miss playing in the Barn.
If you could give the current student-athletes any piece of advice, what would it be?
Focus on time management and utilize all the resources that are at your disposal.
Please share your favorite university or athletic event you've attended since you graduated and what made it so special to you?
When Gophers basketball beat No. 1 Indiana in 2012-2013 season. Everyone stormed the court and the energy in the Barn was amazing.
What are you grateful for?Â
I am grateful for the opportunities that were presented to me post graduation.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is always an important time of the year. Mom was an educator for 30 years and every year she led the black history month program.
I am either busy with my wife and four kids or helping mentor young men as the head boys' basketball coach at North St. Paul High School.