Karlee Johnson

Classroom

Johnson, a diligent student, has done an outstanding job in the classroom. She is quick to respond to questions or requests and always takes initiative in coordinating her scholastic plans. Johnson does an excellent jobe of balancing her athletic and academic workloads against challenges involving athletic participation, with what can include 10 away competitions each season.

As COVID-19 changed the academic landscape, Johnson adjusted to the unique semester and finished her undergraduate career. Graduating cum laude with a 3.71 GPA, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. Throughout her academic career, she earned Dean’s List honors six times, NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors twice, and both Academic All-Mountain West and Mountain West Scholar-Athlete honors four times each.

Granted one more season of eligibility, Johnson earned acceptance into Boise State University’s Masters of Business Administration graduate program. In her initial semester, she carried a 4.0 GPA. Johnson’s adaptability, hard work, motivation, and perseverance have and will continue to serve her well as she works to complete her graduate program.

Character

“Karlee Johnson is someone that every one of our players admires, for multiple reasons. She chose to return as a lone fifth-year senior after COVID-19 interrupted a season where she was off to a great start. She is a leader and a friend to all and has learned to be herself entirely. When I took over the program, Karlee was a role player that had battled injuries in the previous two years. After some coaching, encouragement and confidence, she worked into a starting middle infielder and a really tough out at the plate. One of my favorite moments was watching Karlee hit a home run in our Breast Cancer Awareness game, in front of her whole family, including her mom who is a breast cancer survivor. Karlee is a fighter and bleeds blue. She’s made me better as a coach as I want to work hard for her! I’m inspired by her love for the game and we are all better as a program for her contributions to our culture.”
- Head Coach Maggie Huffaker

Community

During her time as a student-athlete, Johnson has volunteered over 170 hours in the Boise community. She has served in a variety of roles that have included mentoring elementary school children, participating in Make A Wish and local children’s hospital events, encouraging the elderly at assisted living facilities, and volunteering at other sporting events at Boise State.

Johnson has represented her team as a four-year Student Athlete Advisory Committee member. She is a servant leader and is willing to help wherever needed. Johnson has been instrumental in the personal and professional development of her teammates through her leadership and involvement in the BroncoLife program.

She is also committed to the BroncoBold initiative to improve the mental health of the student athletes, coaches, and staff at Boise State University.

Competition

Johnson is a five-year member of the Boise State softball program. The Phoenix, Ariz., native hit a team-third-best .333 as a senior in the shortened 2020 season. She scored 11 runs and had a team-high 16 RBI, in addition to hitting five doubles and two home runs, to earn 2020 All-Mountain West honors.

Starting in 120 of the 157 games she has played, Johnson has compiled a career batting average of .286. Other offensive marks for her career include: 91 hits, 55 runs scored, 48 RBI, 13 doubles, and six home runs.

Defensively, she has 311 career putouts (21st in program history), 226 assists, and has turned 31 double plays for a career fielding percentage of .958. In Boise State program history, she ranks fifth for double plays turned, seventh for assists, and tied for 10th in sacrifice hits.

Johnson has also played an instrumental role in helping the Broncos advance twice to the NCAA National Championship tournament in 2018 and 2019, reaching the regional final in 2019 at Florida.