Bridgeport’s Rick Johnson has had access to a family farm all of his life. In fact, there are roughly 130 pristine acres he could hunt and fish on anytime that he wants.

 

There is only one issue with that.

 

“I don’t hunt or fish,” said Johnson.

 

That may seem odd to those who know Johnson. If there is something to do, he does it. However, the owner of the property in question was his late grandfather Louis “Jiggs” Marra, also known to Rick as Pap. And his grandfather gave him what Johnson believes is pretty sound advice.

 

“He told me if you have time to sit in the woods all day, you have time be working,” Johnson said.

 

It would be hard to argue Johnson does not spend most of his day at work at best and engaged in other activities at worst. Back in February, Johnson added to an already busy schedule by becoming the men’s and women’s golf coach at Fairmont State University.

 

Considering his involvement in so many other youth activities, primarily on the swimming front, as well as helping out his wife Dee at event involving the Bridgeport Conference Center that may have seemed to be a full plate. For Johnson, however, there was still room left for seconds.

 

This past week, he filled his plate up. Johnson was named the new CEO of the North Central West Virginia YMCA. He is replacing Ben Walker, who recently accepted the same role at the Parkersburg facility.

 

One of the caveats of accepting the position was simple. He would remain the coach at Fairmont State.

 

The hiring did not come about as an accident. Rather, it was a culmination of Johnson’s long-time involvement with youth swimming and the recent return of the program to the YMCA in Clarksburg under his guidance.

 

“I had moved the swim program back to the Y, the year-round program that we had in Parkersburg for the last 12 years,” said Johnson. “I spent a lot of time since then talking with (YMCA Vice President and Bridgeport resident) Hal Green about seeing the kids back. Even before that, we joked about me being the director one day. That never really went anywhere until several months ago.”

 

Johnson, who also had volunteered on multiple fronts at the facility over the years, began talking seriously with Green about taking a position alongside Walker.

 

“It wasn’t to take over from Ben, but to help out and work hand-in-hand. That was thought, but there were things needing to be ironed out financially and we never got to it actually being anything official,” said Johnson.

 

The path to get Johnson on board came through a situation that was never on the bingo card during the months-long talks. Walker resigned for his new post. That officially sped up the process to get Johnson involved.

 

This week, it became official.

 

Johnson takes over with a huge goal. He wants to make the YMCA sitting atop Lowndes Hill significant year-round. An even bigger goal is that he wants to involve surrounding counties in that quest.

 

“I think Hal, with his dad being one of the founding fathers of the YMCA, has a special place in his heart for it and wants it to become an integral part of the community and region,” Johnson said. “That is what I will be pushing for.”

 

Doing that involves not changing necessarily how the YMCA operates, but how it markets itself and expands its programming.

 

One of the important things is creating a day camp and after-school programs drawing more from the area and surrounding counties. Johnson said it is one of the top programs the Y currently has.

 

“It’s a good program with everyone involved certified through the state,” said Johnson.

 

The facility’s “Silver Sneaker” program for the elderly will also see attention. Johnson wants area seniors to know they have a place to go to and, if they possibly cannot afford it, they have programs to assist. He wants to bring the YMCA’s annual 5K back to the downtown where he hopes “it is something feasible just to put it on a bigger stage for awareness.”

 

Johnson wants to see the gymnasium flourish again. He wants to add youth leagues, adult leagues, clinics, and more.

 

“I remember playing basketball there growing up. If you lost a game, you didn’t get back on the court because the place slammed,” said Johnson. “We’re gearing up for that because we just redid the floor.”

 

Even with the plans, and even with his knowledge of the facility, Johnson knows getting the facility back to its glory days and beyond is going to be a challenge.

 

“There are people who don’t realize this building is here and others who don’t know it’s still alive,” said Johnson. “I’m going to change that.”

 

Johnson’s bravado is not hyperbole. It stems from his old playing days at Bridgeport High School and his former coaches.

 

The 1993 BHS graduate had great relationships with the late basketball coach Bill Kerns, late football coach Wayne Jamison, and current Indians baseball coach Robert Shields. It was a lesson Shields taught him on the importance of taking advantage of an opportunity when it is presented – no matter the circumstances.

 

“Those guys were mentors to me, and it was important because my mother raised me and my sister with no dad, so they filled a role,” said Johnson. “They all taught me lessons, but it was one Robert taught me that still resonates today.”

 

During Johnson’s junior year, he said he felt he deserved more playing time. It got to the point where he took his uniform off and quit before realizing he wanted to be back on the squad.

 

“When I came back, I knew he was upset because we were close then and we’re still close to this day. I told him I was sorry and wanted to come back,” said Johnson. “He told I could come back, but that I had to wait until next year.

 

“That was devastating,” Johnson, who also credits former Coach Bill Bennett with his growth to this day, continued. “It taught me no matter the situation, never quit. It seemed detrimental at the time, but it’s been so beneficial Eventually, it pays off.”

 

It did for Johnson. The next year, as a member of the squad, Bridgeport won its first-ever state championship in 1993.

 

A state title is not what Johnson wants for the YMCA. He wants it to flourish locally and beyond.

 

“No one has done anything wrong here, but we need to fix our core and then start branching out and get back to the basics of what it can and needs to be in this community and we can look back at what it used to be as an example,” said Johnson. “I’m ready to go to work.”

 

 

Johnson will work at that along with coaching golf at Fairmont State, continuing to coach his youth swim team (the Piranhas in honor of the defunct Stealey Swim Team), and even assist his wife at the Bridgeport Conference Center. He has time to do all of that.

 

What he does not have time for is hunting and fishing. I think Pap Jiggs would approve.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Rick Johnson with his grandfather, Louis "Jiggs" Marra, AKA "Pap" to Rick. Second photo shows Rick at his new job site, while he's is shown with his wife Dee, left, and daugther Marra in the third image. Photo below shows him with long-time friend, BHS Coach Robert Shields, after the team won the Class AAA title in 2021. Daughter Marra is with the pair. All photos courtesy of Rick Johnsnon.