Shriners Children’s is proud to announce that Dustin Johnson has been named national director of sports, a key role in leading the numerous professional and collegiate sporting events that benefit our global healthcare system. In addition to raising funds, these signature events highlight the mission of Shriners Children’s, and offer a national stage for our Patient Ambassadors to share their stories.
Johnson has been with Shriners Children’s in various roles beginning as a student-intern in 2012 for the East-West Shrine Bowl and Shriners Children’s Open. Johnson later led the day-to-day hospital marketing and communications efforts at Shriners Children’s Texas, a global leader in pediatric burn and orthopedic care, until 2016. Under Johnson’s leadership, Shriners Children’s has experienced tremendous success collaborating with professional sports leagues, college athletic departments, youth sports organizations and national sports media entities.
During his tenure, Shriners Children’s has added multiple new sporting events and initiatives, including elite college baseball tournaments in Texas, two partnerships with ESPN surrounding a premier men’s college basketball tournament in Charleston, and a marquee college softball event in Clearwater, along with a recently announced NASCAR Cup Series race in Phoenix.
“This promotion is so well-deserved for Dustin, as he is an integral part of all of our national sports initiatives,” said Bob Roller, vice president of sports for Shriners Children’s. “We look forward to the continued growth and success of our events as he takes on his new role.”
Johnson holds both a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degree in sport management from Texas A&M University. Prior to graduation, Johnson was honored with the prestigious Jefferson Award for Public Service at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library for his contributions to youth baseball organizations and adaptive sports programs. Johnson is a lifetime member of the Waco, Texas, chapter of Shriners International (Karem Shriners), where he has been an active member since age 18.
Learn More About Our Events
Since 1925, the East-West Shrine Bowl has benefited Shriners Children’s while showcasing the next generation of NFL legends. Each year, more than 125 of the nation’s finest draft-eligible college football players showcase their skills in front of NFL and other professional league scouts for their opportunity to play at the next level. Past greats to play in the game include Tom Brady, Walter Payton, Lawrence Taylor, John Elway, Gale Sayers and Brock Purdy.
The Shriners Children’s Open provides an opportunity to experience PGA TOUR golf at its finest at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas. Many of the world’s top golfers compete and earn FedExCup points in the Shriners Children’s Open, a professional, charitable tournament, benefiting its namesake. Past champions include Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, Webb Simpson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Cantlay and Tom Kim.
The Shriners Children’s College Showdown is an annual six-team college baseball tournament held at Globe Life Field and hosted by the Texas Rangers / REV Entertainment. The tournament is regarded as one of the top collegiate baseball tournaments in the nation, consistently drawing fans, top-ranked programs and scouts from every major league organization each year.
The Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic is an elite early-season NCAA Division I basketball tournament played each November at TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina. The tournament features a bracket format with 12 games over three days, and also benefits the healthcare system. All games are broadcast across the ESPN family of networks.
The Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational is the nation’s premier early season college softball tournament featuring 16 NCAA Division I teams in sunny Clearwater, Florida. All games are broadcast across the ESPN family of networks.
The Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway is an official NASCAR Cup Series race each March. The fast-paced action is nationally-televised on FOX. Past winners include William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch.
About Shriners Children’s
Shriners Children’s is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. Our multiple locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. All care is provided regardless of the families’ ability to pay or insurance status. Shriners Children’s has treated more than 1.5 million children from more than 170 countries over the last 100 years. For more information on the care provided by Shriners Children’s, go to shrinerschildrens.org.
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Media Contact
Ashley Ozols-Thomas, Shriners Children’s, 813-499-4273, aozols@shrinenet.org