Come out and watch Izzy and Crimson Pride softball team, now that their season is underway.Izzy Johnson epitomizes “team player,” times three!
by Brooke Hall
Feb. 29, 2024
When Izzy Johnson says, “I love sports and trying new things,” it’s an understatement.
Johnson transferred to IU Columbus this year to play softball. She’d been a dual-sport athlete, playing softball and basketball at both Western High School in Kokomo and Ancilla of Marion College. Yet, in her first week at IU Columbus, just as she was unpacking and finding her classrooms, Izzy decided to take up a third sport that she’d never played in her life: soccer!
“I had no idea what I was doing,” she says with a laugh. But the inaugural Crimson Pride women’s soccer team needed more players, and Izzy was not about to let them down. As a natural athlete who enjoys a challenge, she caught on quickly, found her place, and was starting by the end of the season.
She says it was humbling to go from being a star player on her softball team to dead last in soccer. She also hurt her ACL, though she managed to finish the season. “I wanted to push through for my team,” Johnson said. She added that she’d do it again in a heartbeat, and she cherishes the close friendships she made playing soccer.
“It was truly remarkable to witness Izzy's growth as a player and teammate throughout the season,” said Chelsea Price, assistant soccer coach. “From the moment she arrived as a new transfer student, her willingness to take on the challenge of playing soccer with no prior experience and without knowing anyone on the team speaks volumes about her character and dedication.”
As a junior from Kokomo, Izzy felt right at home at IU Columbus since she first toured the campus. She was drawn here after hearing good things from a family friend about the baseball program, and she instantly clicked with Tommi Stowers, head softball coach. “Tommi is very passionate and brings a lot of fire, a lot like me. I could tell immediately that I wanted to play for her, and that I belonged here.”
And then, in the training room one day, Izzy overheard some chatter about the new Crimson Pride basketball teams starting up next year. Izzy didn’t hesitate, she immediately got in touch with Dana Dunson, women’s basketball coach.
She acknowledges that her family worries about her getting hurt playing three collegiate sports, but they, too, are very motivated and competitive individuals (the Johnson crew has a standing Fortnight competition every night!). “When I talked to my dad about the possibility of playing basketball next year, too, he understood. He said, ‘Go get it!’”
As Izzy looks to the future, she plans to return to Kokomo and knows she’ll continue doing something related to athletics. She currently works as an umpire and coaches a travel team for 16-year-olds, when she’s not in school or training. As a Business major, she dreams of someday running a sports complex. She loves the idea of helping kids become not only better athletes but respectful, motivated, hard-working young adults—which happens to be exactly how Izzy’s coaches describe her.
“Izzy embodies the values of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship,” Price added. “She has truly become an integral part of the Crimson Pride, both on and off the field.”
