Anderson Legend "Jumpin'" Johnny Wilson Dies
January 12, 2019
One of Anderson University's all-time greats,"Jumpin'" Johnny Wilson passed away in Virginia, after a brief illness, Friday. He was 91.
He was an all-time great, on and off the court.
"Johnny Wilson was a gifted athlete while at Anderson High School where he was named Mr. Basketball, and at Anderson College, where he excelled not only in basketball, but also baseball and track and field," said Anderson University President John S. Pistole. "More importantly, he was a pioneer who experienced blatant racism yet demonstrated quiet professionalism and courage. He was a role model on and off the court, and will be missed."
Wilson's name became synonymous with the school and city of Anderson in early post-World War II days when he became a Raven basketball sensation who eventually enjoyed both national and international acclaim in that sport. He starred as a Raven from 1946-49.
He was one of the first honorees to the Anderson University Athletics Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997. At Anderson, Wilson earned 11 letters in four sports. Along with being a national star on the hardwood, Wilson also excelled as a Raven in football, baseball and track and field. He was all-conference and team MVP in both baseball and track and field.
He still holds the Ravens record for career scoring average (23.3). He scored 1,540 points in his career. It is eighth on the career scoring list. He did it in just 66 games, while all those ahead of him played between 91 and 119 contests. He was a three-time team MVP and all-conference choice.
He came to Anderson College as an Indiana High School Mr. Basketball out of Anderson High School. Following his time as a Raven, he played baseball with the Chicago American Giants in the Negro Leagues and basketball with the world famous Harlem Globetrotters. After his playing career, he coached basketball at Malcolm X College and Indianapolis Wood High School before returning to Anderson University and Anderson High School as an assistant coach. He also returned to school to earn a degree in Education from Anderson University.
The accomplishments on and off the court and playing fields are numerous. Wilson was named as one of the Top 50 Athletes of the 20th Century in Indiana and was named the Co-Athlete of the 20th Century by the Anderson Herald-Bulletin with fellow teammate and AU Hall of Famer Carl Erskine. He was elected to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, won the Humanitarian Award from Malcolm X College and the Black Sports Pioneer Award from Alpha Kappa Sorority. He received Distinguished Service and Citizen Awards from the Boy Scouts of America, the Masons, Black Expo, the City of Anderson and had been chosen a Goodwill Ambassador by the Harlem Globetrotters.
In 2016, Anderson High School erected a statue of Wilson in front of the school. He had been the oldest living Indiana Mr. Basketball and oldest living former Harlem Globetrotter.
From The Anderson Herald Bulletin
From The Indianapolis Star
He was an all-time great, on and off the court.
"Johnny Wilson was a gifted athlete while at Anderson High School where he was named Mr. Basketball, and at Anderson College, where he excelled not only in basketball, but also baseball and track and field," said Anderson University President John S. Pistole. "More importantly, he was a pioneer who experienced blatant racism yet demonstrated quiet professionalism and courage. He was a role model on and off the court, and will be missed."
Wilson's name became synonymous with the school and city of Anderson in early post-World War II days when he became a Raven basketball sensation who eventually enjoyed both national and international acclaim in that sport. He starred as a Raven from 1946-49.
He was one of the first honorees to the Anderson University Athletics Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997. At Anderson, Wilson earned 11 letters in four sports. Along with being a national star on the hardwood, Wilson also excelled as a Raven in football, baseball and track and field. He was all-conference and team MVP in both baseball and track and field.
He still holds the Ravens record for career scoring average (23.3). He scored 1,540 points in his career. It is eighth on the career scoring list. He did it in just 66 games, while all those ahead of him played between 91 and 119 contests. He was a three-time team MVP and all-conference choice.
He came to Anderson College as an Indiana High School Mr. Basketball out of Anderson High School. Following his time as a Raven, he played baseball with the Chicago American Giants in the Negro Leagues and basketball with the world famous Harlem Globetrotters. After his playing career, he coached basketball at Malcolm X College and Indianapolis Wood High School before returning to Anderson University and Anderson High School as an assistant coach. He also returned to school to earn a degree in Education from Anderson University.
The accomplishments on and off the court and playing fields are numerous. Wilson was named as one of the Top 50 Athletes of the 20th Century in Indiana and was named the Co-Athlete of the 20th Century by the Anderson Herald-Bulletin with fellow teammate and AU Hall of Famer Carl Erskine. He was elected to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, won the Humanitarian Award from Malcolm X College and the Black Sports Pioneer Award from Alpha Kappa Sorority. He received Distinguished Service and Citizen Awards from the Boy Scouts of America, the Masons, Black Expo, the City of Anderson and had been chosen a Goodwill Ambassador by the Harlem Globetrotters.
In 2016, Anderson High School erected a statue of Wilson in front of the school. He had been the oldest living Indiana Mr. Basketball and oldest living former Harlem Globetrotter.
From The Anderson Herald Bulletin
From The Indianapolis Star
