Coach Rich Johns

Rich-Accepting-Rotary-FoundationGrowing up in the small village of South Glens Falls, N.Y., I learned many important core values that have stayed with me for my whole life. The most important of these is Respect!

My mom and dad were from large families that immigrated to the United States to create a new life for themselves.  Each of them taught me from a very young age that you must always work hard and respect all people that are in your life.

As a young student and athlete, I soon learned that teachers and coaches were there to help me improve my abilities.  Respecting these individuals was first and foremost to me.

As years have passed, the core value of respect continues to be even more important to me.  I believe that respect is at the center of all things we do in life.

Teacher and Coach

AnnSweeney-TimOBrienRich Johns graduated from the State University of New York at Potsdam in 1972 from which he has been honored by being inducted into Potsdam’s Sports Hall of Fame and with Potsdam’s Minerva Award, the highest honor given to an alumnus.

Rich taught elementary and middle school as well as coached tennis at Saratoga Springs (NY) High School for 38 years. His highly recognized girls’ tennis teams were traditionally among the top teams in New York State.

Under his guidance Saratoga won 17 League Titles, 9 Sectional Team Titles and holds the Section II record for Class AA with 85 consecutive wins and a record of 107– 2 during that period.

coach rich johns wins starfish awardHe has been recognized with numerous awards. He has been honored with the USTA National Starfish Award (2009) given in recognition of his “no- cut” tennis program and his positive impact on hundreds of players, Racquet Sports Industry as their National High School Coach of the Year (2010), and the Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation Award (2010) for his distinguished – exceptional leadership and commitment to education and community service.

In January 2011, the USTA-Eastern Section presented Rich the High School Coach of the Year Award for the second time for his exemplary leadership skills. Rich has also been honored by SUNY Adirondack, Saratoga Springs School District and the South Glens Falls Community by inducting him into their Athletic and Community Pride Hall of Fames.

In 2015 and 2016 Coach was honored with the Excellence in Teaching Award by the SUNY Albany Chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success.

In 2018 he was honored by being inducted into the Upstate New York Basketball Hall of Fame receiving the John Cahill Community Contributor Award.

Following his passion of personal character development Rich started his “pay it forward” mission called Act With Respect Always with his Saratoga Springs High School tennis program and his sixth-grade classes.

Rich remains committed to his community of Saratoga Springs, using Act With Respect Always, as a vehicle, to continue to give back to the city that has done so much for him.

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