Long-time PIAA official and western PA track icon Len Johnson dies

Last August, the PA track community lost Norm Crawford. This week, it was his fellow PA officiating icon Len Johnson.

Leonard Johnson (left, with Norm Crawford in a 2002 photo by William McBride) started officiating after graduating from the University of Michigan while living and working in Michigan and Illinois in Computer Sales and Service for companies like Hewlett Packard and IBM, including the NCAA Indoor at Cobo Hall in Detroit before moving back to western PA to Sewickley Heights. He started his own minority Business, Bidwell Technical Services and also was a Tech person for the Alma Ilery Health Clinic in the Homewood section of  Pittsburgh.

Graduate of New Castle HS where he starred in Track including the PIAA ST. 100y Champ in 1959.

Elected to the Lawrence County Hall of Fame in 1988. Rules Interpretor for the Fort Pitt Chapter of PIAA Track and Field Officials.

Started many major HS and College Invitationals and Conference meets in the area, including the WPIAL District 7 and Pittsburgh Public Schools City League Dist. 8 Champs/Finals.

Funeral arrangements the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette