Tim Johnson Era Underway at ORU After Being Named Athletic Director for the Golden Eagles
CHANGING OF THE GUARD: ORU Athletic Director Tim Johnson, left, with previous long-time Athletic Director Mike Carter, who retired after nearly 27 years of service to ORU. Johnson served as Carter’s Deputy Athletic Director the past five years.
Tim Johnson became athletic director on Aug. 1, and joined the ORU staff prior to the 2015-16 school year after spending five years at Clemson University.
In his role, Johnson oversees all ORU Athletic external departments and directs capital fundraising, major gifts, and other sources of revenue generation and strategic initiatives for the Golden Eagles athletic department. Johnson also oversees the baseball program, program evaluation, coaching professional development, and serves on ORU’s executive staff.
In his time at ORU, the Golden Eagle Club has increased its membership by 215%, achieved its highest fundraising totals, and premium seating sales. He has guided campaigns to renovate the baseball stadium, men’s basketball locker room, men’s and women’s soccer locker rooms, volleyball locker room, install infield baseball turf and construct ORU’s first track and tennis complex on campus.
Johnson negotiated a department-wide Nike contract in 2018 that more than tripled the value received by the department and also led the charge to update ORU’s athletic logo and brand in association with Hampton Creative.
In 2016, ORU’s athletics donor guidebook won the “Grand Award” for best sport publication in Oklahoma and also took home the “Achievement Award” for “Before and After.”
Prior to ORU, as both an Assistant A.D. and Development Officer at Clemson, Johnson was responsible for development/stewardship, annual giving, letterwinner interaction, and development and fundraising. He served on Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips’ senior staff and acted as a sport supervisor – where he was heavily involved in building Clemson Football under Coach Dabo Swinney.
The Clemson Football program won its first ACC Title in 20 years in 2011 and went on to win a National Championship in 2017. Johnson assisted in preparation for multiple bowl games, including the Meineke Car Care Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Chick-fil-a Bowl.
He also supervised aspects of compliance, marketing, and all departmental contracts for the Tigers. Johnson helped develop the Clemson Athletics strategic plan and developed Safety and Security plans for Clemson Athletic Venues as part of Clemson’s Risk Management Committee.
In addition, he aided in Clemson’s Billion Dollar Campaign “Will to Lead/Will to Win” in association with Clemson’s Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, Brian O’Rourke. Through his involvement with IPTAY, Johnson promoted membership, helped with fundraising strategies, and was active on capital campaign committees.
Prior to Clemson, Johnson graduated from the University of Arkansas with both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (2005) and a Juris Doctor (2008) and practiced law in Fayetteville. During his time at Arkansas, Johnson worked on Coach Houston Nutt’s football staff from 2002 to 2007. He received his MBA from Clemson University in 2014.
Johnson is a member of the Arkansas Bar, Arkansas Bar Association, American Bar Association, and The University of Arkansas Letterwinners Association (A Club). He is also a member of NACDA, NAADD, and is a College Athletics Leadership Symposium (CALS) alum.
Johnson married the former Brittany Arnold of Fayetteville, Arkansas. They live in Tulsa and have two daughters, Emelia and Eleanor.
