Rusty is a graduate of Alamosa High School in 1980 where he competed on the mats four years for the Mean Moose. He has not held the position of head coach, but has been heavily involved as the team assistant coach at his Alma Mater under Gary Ramstetter for the past 23 years. "He has been with the team at every summer camp or off-season tournaments in all of those years" Ramstetter said. It is a major endeavor since the pay is nonexistent." Yet, Johnson, 52-years old, has not been without his head coaching duties. For 29 years he was head coach of the Alamosa Kids Wrestling Club and co-head coach of the Alamosa Freestyle Wrestling Club. He also served as an assistant in both for a period of four years. During his tenure at the high school, the Moose have won eight state titles, three in Class 3A (2011, 2012, 2013) and five in 4A (1995, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007). They finished as the 4A runner up five times (1994, 1996, 1999, 2006, 2007) and have a trio of third place finishes (1997, 2005, 2008). He helped Alamosa win 10 Regional Titles and eight runner-up finishes. Over the course of his tenure the Moose have crowned 25 individual champions. It's a number of wrestlers that has combined to win a total of 40 titles. Of that number, six have claimed National High School Coaches Association All-American honors a combined 10 times. Cody and Sonny Yohn have been among the most noted also earning honors as USA Wrestling Freestyle All-American recognition several times. "Rusty is a well-rounded role model in that he can be the coach that commands this kids attention and respect when necessary. And yet the guy who sacrifices himself to get mummified by the rolls of tape (yes, he actually did this) in order to give his wrestlers the moments of levity that are so often needed in a sport that demands so much of it in competition, physically, mentally and emotionally," wrote Ken Yohn, the father of the Yohn brothers. Rusty is now on the Board of Directors for the San Luis Valley Wrestling Association and currently holds the position of President. He also served on the Board since its inception in 1989. "This is a tremendous honor," Johnson said. "I look at this more as a group recognition and team recognition. It has been great to work with the parents for their allowing us to share the youth of their kids with us. There also is a lot of effort on the part of the athletes as they are all working together to make it a great program. I'm also grateful to the community for all the efforts and support that many have given us over the years." Yet Rusty has also excelled from the sides of the mats. He has been a football official for the past 23 years. During that time he has worked two state championship games and 12 state semifinal games. Outside of sports he is currently serving as a City Counselor for the City of Alamosa. He is married to his wife, Tina. And is the father of four children, Shereen Gonzales, Stephanie Kilpatrick, Jordyn and Mikyla Johnson. Rusty is not ready to retire and has hopes his career beside the mats will last at least five to 10 more years. "This is a great class to be inducted with, such honor," Johnson said.