QB Johnson wins national award
Staff and Wire Reports

University of Arizona senior quarterback Jason Johnson was named winner of the 2003 Woody Hayes National Scholar-Athlete Award yesterday, as the outstanding man in Division I athletics.

Johnson was one of six men and women chosen from Division I, II, and III.

The winners combined for a grade point average of 3.9, more than 50 all-conference to All-America titles, and a host of activities ranging from tutoring to volunteering at food banks and various other community service projects.

The awards will be presented at a dinner banquet in Columbus, Ohio on Feb. 7, with the 2002 National Coach of the Year, Jim Tressel of Ohio State, as the keynote speaker.

Johnson earned academic All-Pac-10 first-team quarterback honors for the second consecutive season, was a Verizon District VIII first-team academic pick, won a berth on the American Football Coaches' "Good Works Team," started in the East-West Shrine Game and completed his final year at UA with more than a dozen single-season, career or top-10 marks in passing and total offense. He was named the team's Most Valuable Offensive Player for 2002.

Johnson completed his undergraduate degree in mid-2001 with a 3.79 GPA in business management, then was an honors graduate student in religious studies for his last two semesters. He was a four-time winner of the UA athletics department's Mary Roby Academic Achievement Award. Among his community activities were the Fellowship for Christian Athletes, Drug Free School Program, youth basketball coaching, Adopt a Family, Race for the Cure Cancer Walk and UA off-campus role modeling speakers' engagements.

Coach quits to pursue business
Staff and Wire Reports

Arizona offensive coordinator Rick Dykes resigned from head coach John Mackovic's staff today to return to private business and spend more time with his family.

Dykes joined the UA staff in 2001 as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, with primary responsibilities for game offensive strategy. For much of the latter part of the 2002 season he took over play calling duties from Mackovic.

Dykes said he made the decision after considerable "thought and deliberation." "I've decided to leave the University of Arizona and return to private business," he said.

Dykes helped UA senior quarterback Jason Johnson set school records for single-season completions and passing yards and numerous single-game yardage and completion marks.