So very sorry to hear this. Great man and great Tulane fan. May he rest in peace. I'll keep his family in my prayers during this difficult timeNOLABigSteve wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 4:51 pm This announcement comes with such a heavy heart.
Life-long Tulane fan and current Greenbacker President Mike Johnston has passed away.
Mike was such a presence at all Tulane sporting events for so many years. There wasn’t a kinder, funnier, and more devoted fan than Big Mike.
If you have any stories, please share them here. And I do ask that you respect the privacy of his family during this most difficult time.
WE LOVE YOU MIKE
ROLL WAVE
For sure! Big Mike loved your dad who I believe was the original founder of the Greenbackers. Nothing better then hearing Mike tell us stories about him. I’ll always remember the celebration at Rock n Bowl your dad provided for us after his funeral. It was attended by a who’s who of Tulane fandom, coaches and administrators. Sadly neither will ever be replaced.sader24 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 17, 2020 2:53 am Not sure a big enough deal can be made of this in Tulane fandom. He literally carried what was left of the Tulane football fan base on his back from about 95-till. Even more specifically after the review in 2003 and post katrina when a lot of people either gave up or became less interested. Having grown up with the Greenbackers from birth he went from a major figure in the Greenbackers in the 80s and 90s to what i would say was the biggest and most noticeable Tulane fan there was for the next 15-20 years. I would convince friends every once in awhile to come to games over the years and after my Dad died he was one of the main reasons they would entertain the thought of coming to a football game a year and a couple would even go to Bay Cafe every now and then to run into him. One of the funniest, most knowledgeable and passionate fans of any sort I've ever seen. Nobody is replacing Big Mike. Weirdly enough the last time i saw him he was speeding down my street a couple of months ago and didn't know it was me as we live in the same neighborhood. I was slowly backing out my new truck into his way and he laid hard on the horn and zoomed past me giving me a dirty look and yelling. I thought it was him and saw the Tulane license plate on the back and laughed my ass off.
No doubt!
Yes that would be nice. Big Mike would usually lead the Hullabaloo cheer at the football games and other events. You can’t replace a fan like that. He was the most passionate Tulane fan I’ve ever seen. Hopefully the Greenbackers find a new man that can continue to lead the support for Athletics going forward.
Well stated! 100% correct there.golfnut69 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 27, 2020 8:04 am Thank you to the Players, Coaches and Staff for their thoughts and prayers for Big Mike...The Players of today, they are way too young, will never understand how hard he fought for, and loved Tulane athletics. There are few Staff members who remember the bleak times, when Mike and the Greenbackers, let their feeling be known, thru actions and donations to keep all sports at Tulane in place. The man truly loved all Tulane players who went "between the lines", no matter the Field or the Court to compete. Big Mike like the vast maority of Tulane fans, was not mega rich, U will not see a building, field or court named after him, but Mike was rich in his love for Tulane. and as we all know, love conquers all...it is now time for Tulane, to return that love.
