Bertil Johansson, the most decorated coach in Kodiaks history, to hang up the cleats

Johansson says he’s leaving the Kodiaks it’s with humility and gratitude.

“I have enjoyed the trust given to me by the college and the local running community, and I have appreciated being involved in many aspects of fitness and health during this period. I have numerous memories of coaching at all stages of running at the local, Canadian and international levels,” Johansson said, adding several athletes and their families have had a tremendous influence on him as a person and on his family.

Hired by long-time Lethbridge College athletic director Tim Tollestrup, Johansson says the Kodiaks team at that time was mainly made up of local Southern Alberta runners, mostly from the Nursing and Law Enforcement programs.

He focused on expanding the program to incorporate students from all programs and extended his recruiting focus both out-of-province and internationally.

Manager of Athletics, Todd Caughlin, says Johansson’s legacy is how he expanded the footprint of cross-country running, not only at Lethbridge College but at the ACAC and CCAA levels as well.

“Cross-country running is now one of the strongest and highest-participation college sports in Canada, and a lot of that is due to Johansson’s tireless work to promote the sport and provide an opportunity to his student-athletes.”

Johannson’s resume is filled with numerous accolades.

Now in his 32nd season as a cross-country coach, his teams and athletes in cross country and indoor track have earned 54 gold medals at both the ACAC and CCAA levels.

In addition to developing local runners, Johansson found great success in recruiting runners from Kenya.

One of his first Kenyan recruits, Kip Kangogo, won an ACAC championship in his rookie season and has gone on to represent Canada at the Pan-Am Games while piling up marathon and half marathon victories across the country.

Johansson coached eight other Kenyans into becoming ACAC champions.

“I’m so proud of the 500 or so student-athletes I have coached, including around 40 international and Kenyan runners,” said Johansson. “These students have impacted me to my core as I watched them successfully meet their academic and athletic goals at Lethbridge College.”

For all the victories, Johansson says just as important for him was the ‘new beginning’ that came with the start of each season.

“As I looked a group of young adult hopefuls and knew I had the opportunity to help shape them.”

Johansson is quick to share credit for his successes, singling out race organizers Ramona Stewart and George Gemer, volunteer coordinator Darlene Ponjavic-Vornbrock, and coaching mentors Alvin Tietz and Knud Petersen among those who have helped him on his way.

“I’ve got to watch many graduates move on and acquire careers in all sorts of fields: policing, conservation enforcement, nursing, environmental science, exercise science and more,” says Johansson. “That’s probably the most rewarding piece that I can hold on to for life as a Lethbridge College coach alumnus.”

He will coach on his home turf for the final time in his ACAC career this weekend, as the Kodiaks host a Grand Prix in conjunction with the Run for the Pumpkin on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Nicholas Sheran Park.

Johansson will officially retire on Nov. 10 in Toronto following the CCAA championships.

by Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Bertil Johansson, the most decorated coach in Kodiaks history, to hang up the cleats

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