Winona State University
Basketball
1972-75
Augustus "Gus" Johnson's time at Winona State was marked by dominating individual and team performances on the basketball court by the Warriors. Johnson posted remarkable numbers on the hardwood from 1972-75. The "Big Cat" is still the all-time career leader at WSU in points scored (1,698), rebounds (1,603), blocked shots (606), and field goal percentage (52%). A four-year letterwinner and four-time all-conference center, Gus set 24 basketball records during his tenure as a Warrior. He won the league rebounding titles in each of his four seasons and is the conference's all-time career rebounding leader with 819 boards in 48 games (17.1 rebounds per game). During his senior season in 1974-75, Johnson was named WSU's and NIC's Most Valuable Player. His single-game 32 rebounds and season average of 17.5 boards are school, state, and conference records. With the help of the Big Cat's dominant play, the Warriors posted an 82-24 overall record and a 44-4 league record that included four consecutive conference championships from 1972-75. During that time, WSU won two NAIA District 13 championships and appeared at the NAIA national tournament in 1973 and 1975. Following graduation from WSU, Johnson was drafted by the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. Today, Gus works as an investigator with the Chicago Police Department.