The DC Sports Hall of Fame’s 2024 class of inductees includes nine people, including former WTOP sports director and DC United play-by-play announcer Dave Johnson.
The DC Sports Hall of Fame’s 2024 class of honorees includes one outstanding team and nine individuals, including former WTOP sports director and DC United play-by-play announcer Dave Johnson.
Johnson will be inducted during a ceremony before the Nationals-Reds game on July 21. Also scheduled to be inducted are Nationals legend Ryan Zimmerman, H.D. Woodson High School coach and teacher Bruce Bradford, Maryland basketball player Vicki Brett, Washington football executive Charlie Casserly, “father of black basketball” E.B. Henderson, Mystics star Shamik Holdscrow, Nationals pitcher Emil Leonard and D.C. United standout defender Eddie Pope.
“I am grateful to be inducted into the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024. I grew up a Bullets fan, a Diplomats football fan and listening to WTOP. I am fortunate to be a part of that special community and am grateful for all the connections made both on and off the air,” Johnson told WTOP.
This year’s Outstanding Team is the 1983-84 national champion Georgetown University men’s basketball team.
“The mix of athletes, coaches and contributors among this year’s honorees demonstrates the diversity of achievement and representation we are so proud of,” D.C. Sports Hall of Fame Chairman Bobby Goldwater said in a news release announcing the awards.
According to the organization, candidates must have made a name for themselves in the Washington, D.C., area for their achievements in sports as an athlete, coach, executive, media member or contributor, and the Distinguished Team recognizes professional, collegiate and high school teams that “have made a significant, positive impact on the Greater Washington community through their outstanding achievements.”
In announcing the class, the organization said Johnson is “perhaps the region’s most popular and versatile sports announcer.” Johnson has been with D.C. United since the team’s inaugural year in 1996 and spent 27 seasons as the team’s television play-by-play announcer.
He has also been the Wizards’ radio play-by-play announcer since 1997 and was the DC Sportscaster of the Year winner from the National Sports Media Association in 2019.
Johnson won the Edward R. Murrow Award for best writing in 2008 for his work at WTOP. He served as sports director and morning sports anchor from 1995 to 2022. He previously worked at WTOP from 1989 to 1992.
Johnson has also won regional Emmy Awards for his coverage of the Nationals and Capitals and has provided play-by-play commentary for such high-profile events as the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
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