Indiana Wesleyan University presented Ernie Johnson Jr., one of sports’ most respected and loved personalities, with the 16th annual World Changer Award on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at the Society of World Changers Convocation. The event included music from the IWU Chorale and Wind Ensemble, the presentation of a life-size bust of Johnson and a speech by the honoree. IWU also honored Ernie with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
“We are deeply honored to have Mr. Johnson with us today,” said President Dr. David Wright at the convocation. “In the midst of these many accomplishments and accolades, Ernie continues to use his platform as a sports broadcaster to be a light for Jesus.”
Johnson is a veteran sportscaster for Turner Sports. He is the host of Turner Sports NBA coverage and TNT’s Sports Emmy® Award-winning “Inside the NBA” studio show with analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal. He is also studio host for Turner and CBS’ NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship coverage as well as play-by-play announcer for TBS’ exclusive coverage of Major League Baseball and the PGA Championship.
Previously, Johnson has covered the National Football League, the British Open, Wimbledon and the Olympics. He has also called the Atlanta Braves games on SportSouth from 1993-1996 with his dad, Ernie Johnson Sr., a former MLB pitcher and Braves play-by-play announcer.
Already a successful sportscaster for Turner Sports, Johnson became a Christian in 1997 through the ministry of Kevin Myers—a 1982 IWU grad— at 12Stone Church. Since that time, Johnson has been and continues to be outspoken about his faith in both his personal life, as well as his very public and successful professional life.
Johnson is a graduate of Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. He was named Outstanding Young Alumnus in 1986. He and his wife Cheryl have six children, four of whom are adopted.
At its core, the mission of Indiana Wesleyan University is to change the world for Jesus Christ by challenging and equipping its students to pour salt and shine light everywhere their lives take them. To provide a focal point for this effort, IWU established the Society of World Changers in 2003 to recognize individuals who are faithful Christians by example, use their professional platforms to impact their world for Christ and have risen to national prominence. Each year a World Changers Convocation is held on IWU's Marion campus to induct a new member into the Society and celebrate his or her accomplishments.
Previous inductees include television producer and author Robert Briner, neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Carson, author Frank Peretti, Hobby Lobby CEO David Green, founder of Joni and Friends Joni Eareckson Tada, gospel musicians Bill and Gloria Gaither, former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole and evangelist Ravi Zacharias. The most recent inductee, in 2018, was Cheryl Bachelder, a recognized business leader and former CEO of Popeyes.
For those interested in pursuing a career in the sports industry, like Johnson, check out IWU’s Sports Ministries program.