Leo E. Lewis Jr. Memorial Award
Each year, the Lewis Sports Foundation (LSF) awards grants to local practitioners. At least two sports professionals are presented small tokens of appreciation for their tireless work and effort to service youth. These awards are designated to provide support to each practitioner and their organization.
The Leo E. Lewis, Jr. Memorial Practitioner Award is given to recognize outstanding effort as a coaching or administrative professional who tirelessly works in leadership and sport positions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. We target those individuals who teach and/or coach young people despite the odds that confront them as they succeed.
We'd like to recognize Leo E. Lewis, Jr. Memorial Practitioner Award recipients:
2023
Damian Johnson
Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School
Damian currently is the Dean of the Junior High school and Head Varsity Basketball coach at Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School in Minneapolis. He has been in coaching for eight years, serving as a head coach for six years. Prior to his current position, Damian was head coach at North St. Paul High School. Last season, Benilde-St. Margaret’s won the Metro West Championship and reached the section final in 2023. After growing up in Thibodaux, Louisiana and attending Thibodaux High School, Johnson played collegiately at the University of Minnesota from 2006-2010. He extended his career as a professional basketball player in the NBA G League in Japan and several years overseas in Australia. Johnson is passionate about programs that connect student athletes from different cultures through the game of basketball.
Past Recipients:
2022 - Mark Fischbach - St. Paul Johnson High School
2021 - Johnny Allen, Jr. - The JK Movement
2020 - No award given
2019 - James Ware - Park Center High School
2018 - John Bryant - Jerry Gambles Boys and Girls Club
2017 - Scott Howell - St. Paul Central High School
2014 to 2016 - No award given
2013 - Giovan Jenkins - Minneapolis Washburn H.S.
2012 - JoJo Verdeja - El Rio Vista Rec Center
2011 - Anthony Minus - St. Paul Humboldt H.S.