« Men’s Soccer 2019

Alistair Johnston

School
Wake Forest University
Position
Defender
Major
Economics
Alistair Johnston

Classroom

Alistair Johnston spent his first two seasons at St. John’s, where he earned a 3.92 cumulative GPA. That success has carried over to Wake Forest where he is still extremely successful, maintaining a GPA over 3.65 in the university’s business school, which ranks in the top 15 nationally according to Bloomberg. Last year, he was one of four Deacons selected to the All-ACC Academic Team, which recognizes success on the field and in the classroom.

Character

Johnston serves as one of the two team captains despite being in just his second year in the program. “The rest of the team looks up to Alistair and follows his example,” said Head Coach Bobby Muuss. “He is our unquestioned leader and somebody that everybody gets along with. He came here without a promise of a starting job or even playing time, and he’s worked hard every day to earn his spot.”

Community

Johnston is one of the team’s most active participants in community service. In the past year, he has been involved with Night to Shine, which creates a prom night opportunity for kids with special needs. He has participated in the 3, 2, 1 Deacon Dash for Down Syndrome and Wake Forest’s D.E.S.K. program, creating and providing desks and school supplies for area kids in need. Johnston also is one of the team’s leaders in Team Impact, through which Wake Forest “adopted” an 11-year-old who has been battling chronic myeloid leukemia.

Competition

After playing in all 21 games off the bench in 2018, Johnston has established himself as a starter in the 2019 season, even switching positions from midfield to outside back. He served a crucial role a season ago, totaling 11 points on three goals and five assists. He transferred to Wake Forest after two seasons at St. John’s, where he started all 36 games and notched 10 goals and four assists. As of nomination time in 2019, Johnston had played the full 90 minutes in every game.