The Gagliardi Trophy is given to the outstanding Division III football player who exhibits excellence in athletics, academics and community service.

It is named for John Gagliardi, legendary coach at St. John's University (Minnesota), who is the winningest active coach in college football with 377 victories -- only 31 short of the record held by retired Grambling State University coach Eddie Robinson. The award is given by the St. John's J-Club and is sponsored by Jostens, Inc.

Johnson, who guided Pacific Lutheran to the 1999 Division III Football Championship, was back in Salem, Virginia, for the award ceremonies December 14. He was accompanied by Westering as they returned to the site of last year's championship game, won by the Lutes, 42-13, over Rowan University.

A business administration major and ministry minor, Johnson is a dean's list honoree and is active as a volunteer in a Rotary youth program, with campus and inner-city ministry, in mentoring programs in the Tacoma, Washington, area and with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Johnson finished this past regular season rated fourth in passing efficiency (179.1) among Division III quarterbacks. He completed 68 percent of his passes, throwing for 24 touchdowns with only six interceptions. He averaged 315.4 yards passing per game and 339.1 yards total offense per game, also fourth best in the nation. Johnson was named Northwest Conference offensive player of the year as the Lutes advanced to the second round of the 2000 playoffs, losing 28-21 in overtime to Gagliardi and St. John's.

Johnson was among nine finalists for the award.

Other first-place vote-getters were R.J. Bowers, senior running back at Grove City College, who holds the career rushing record for all NCAA divisions with 7,353 yards; St. John's senior quarterback Tom Linnemann; and Adam Marino, senior wide receiver from Mount Union College.

Other finalists were Corbett Boone, senior strong safety at Hardin-Simmons University; Anthony Casciano, senior defensive tackle at The College of New Jersey; Seth Duerr, senior linebacker at The College of Wooster; Shane Ream, junior tailback at Allegheny College; and Jeff Sanger, senior linebacker at Central College (Iowa).

College presidents nominated the student-athletes for the awards, and the winners were chosen by a national selection committee whose members played Division III football or who are closely affiliated with the sport .