Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
We, the Alumni/Veteran members of the Acro-Airs program, wish express our collective disappointment with Washington Adventist University’s decision to suspend Coach Benjamin Johnson - who is affectionately referred to as Coach Ben. This indelible action consequently led to the cancellation of this year’s Homeshow program - a program that has not be offered at full capacity since the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions are a part of the Administration’s poor response to allegations of bullying by at least one current member of the team.
For decades, Coach Ben has worked tirelessly to deliver the best experience possible for all of his athletes. This includes, but is not limited to, advocacy in the classroom, ministering the gospel to the team and those we serve, establishing connections to ensure success post-graduation, serving as a mentor/confidant/coach/advocate, and many more. He has extended abounding grace to those who need it, created a culture of belonging for all to enjoy, and has created opportunities for his athletes to thrive both on and off the mats. This is evidenced by the close-knit alumni community that Coach Ben has cultivated throughout the course of his entire career.
For these reasons, and many more, we demand the immediate reversal of Coach Ben’s suspension. Additionally, we demand that the Acro-Airs team, under the leadership of Coach Ben, be granted the opportunity to reschedule their Homeshow program with the full support of the University’s administration. We maintain the belief that the decision to suspend and cause undue sufferance to the entire Acro-Airs community was not only made in haste, but is reactive and devoid of clear discernment and wisdom.
We beseech your prayerful support as we stand in solidarity with Coach Ben and the legacy he has curated with the Acro-Airs community.
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Updates
April 15, 2023
I spent the entire morning fielding calls from alumni who are just as confused and heartbroken by the silence from the university as I am. It feels like they think we will just quiet down if they wait long enough but they really do not understand how much Coach Ben means to this community.
20 Comments
Coach Ben Johnson was an amazing coach when I was on the Acro Airs JV and Varsity Team. Whenever I wanted to give up, he always encouraged me to push harder. These are one of many qualities that he has instill in me, that I use til this day in my professional and personal life. Coach is a one of a kind person and will forever have an impact on my life.
This decisions clearly shows a lack of situational awareness on the part of the administration. This team and all the coaches deserve to host their home show. Ben should be apologized to in a public way to clear his name.
I’ve known Ben 25 years and was on Acro with him as a teammate and then as a coach over the course of 5 years. I have never seen anything other than kindness, care, and camaraderie from him towards the team.
I am a former student and long time team member. I also dated and then married Ben Johnson. We were together for 15 years, and remain friends to this day. Having known him for almost 30 years, I can and will attest to his good name and character to anyone that will listen.
Coach Ben helped put me on a lifelong path of sharing Acro with the world around me. Ben is always there when I need advice or a personal reference and I was only on the team for a year. We have even planned vacations around home show.
A true Man of God, friend and mentor to all
I have been around Ben a lot as a student athlete during my time at CUC/WAU. His contribution to the athletic program has been top tier. He has helped other programs in other Adventist schools to thrive. I hope that this can be rectify soon rather than later.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
We, the Alumni/Veteran members of the Acro-Airs program, wish express our collective disappointment with Washington Adventist University’s decision to suspend Coach Benjamin Johnson - who is affectionately referred to as Coach Ben. This indelible action consequently led to the cancellation of this year’s Homeshow program - a program that has not be offered at full capacity since the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions are a part of the Administration’s poor response to allegations of bullying by at least one current member of the team.
For decades, Coach Ben has worked tirelessly to deliver the best experience possible for all of his athletes. This includes, but is not limited to, advocacy in the classroom, ministering the gospel to the team and those we serve, establishing connections to ensure success post-graduation, serving as a mentor/confidant/coach/advocate, and many more. He has extended abounding grace to those who need it, created a culture of belonging for all to enjoy, and has created opportunities for his athletes to thrive both on and off the mats. This is evidenced by the close-knit alumni community that Coach Ben has cultivated throughout the course of his entire career.
For these reasons, and many more, we demand the immediate reversal of Coach Ben’s suspension. Additionally, we demand that the Acro-Airs team, under the leadership of Coach Ben, be granted the opportunity to reschedule their Homeshow program with the full support of the University’s administration. We maintain the belief that the decision to suspend and cause undue sufferance to the entire Acro-Airs community was not only made in haste, but is reactive and devoid of clear discernment and wisdom.
We beseech your prayerful support as we stand in solidarity with Coach Ben and the legacy he has curated with the Acro-Airs community.
Updates
April 15, 2023
I spent the entire morning fielding calls from alumni who are just as confused and heartbroken by the silence from the university as I am. It feels like they think we will just quiet down if they wait long enough but they really do not understand how much Coach Ben means to this community.
20 Comments
Great Guy! He barely knew me and offered me a four year scholarship to the university. Met him plenty of times and was always impressed with his kindness and genuine personality.
Coach Ben Johnson was an amazing coach when I was on the Acro Airs JV and Varsity Team. Whenever I wanted to give up, he always encouraged me to push harder. These are one of many qualities that he has instill in me, that I use til this day in my professional and personal life. Coach is a one of a kind person and will forever have an impact on my life.
This decisions clearly shows a lack of situational awareness on the part of the administration. This team and all the coaches deserve to host their home show. Ben should be apologized to in a public way to clear his name.
I’ve known Ben 25 years and was on Acro with him as a teammate and then as a coach over the course of 5 years. I have never seen anything other than kindness, care, and camaraderie from him towards the team.
I am a former student and long time team member. I also dated and then married Ben Johnson. We were together for 15 years, and remain friends to this day. Having known him for almost 30 years, I can and will attest to his good name and character to anyone that will listen.
Coach Ben helped put me on a lifelong path of sharing Acro with the world around me. Ben is always there when I need advice or a personal reference and I was only on the team for a year. We have even planned vacations around home show.
A true Man of God, friend and mentor to all
I have been around Ben a lot as a student athlete during my time at CUC/WAU. His contribution to the athletic program has been top tier. He has helped other programs in other Adventist schools to thrive. I hope that this can be rectify soon rather than later.
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Great Guy! He barely knew me and offered me a four year scholarship to the university. Met him plenty of times and was always impressed with his kindness and genuine personality.