4x All-American and Goalie Legend Tillman Johnson – LGR Episode 130
By Coach Damon
February 8, 2022
This is the episode I have been waiting for a long, long time.
In 2021, I made a list of the top 5 goalies that I wanted to interview that year, and number 1 on that list was none other than UVA legend Tillman Johnson.
We got close a few times but couldn’t make it happen in 2021, but here we are in 2022 and it was worth the wait.
Tillman made a strong case for the greatest lacrosse goalie of all time during his four years in the crease at Virginia. As a freshman, Johnson was named ACC Rookie of the Year and wrapped his career in the NCAA as a 4x All-American and 2003 National Champion.
Tillman started all 59 games in his collegiate career from 2001-2004 and finished his career third in ACC history with a school-record 700 saves.
Known for being incredibly responsive and an acrobat between the irons, Tillman has helped revolutionize the position.
Tillman inspired an entire generation of lacrosse goalies.
He showed us the true power of the goalie position.
In 2003, in the National Championship Game and really the whole tournament, he played light out making save after save, pumping up his team, and winning the national title for Virginia along with tournament MVP honors.
Suddenly, middies, attackmen, and d-players all wanted to be the goalie.
So many goalies that I’ve interviewed for the podcast mention Tillman’s National Championship performance as the reason they wanted to be a goalie and train so hard to excel at the position.
Tillman joins the show today to discuss how he got started in goal, his time at Virginia, his unforgettable 2003 season, influencing a generation of goalies, and much more!
Huge Announcement!! Goalie Training with Tillman
So pumped to announce this!
At the end of the podcast I asked Tillman if he was interested in doing a little virtual coaching for the Lax Goalie Rat community of goalies. He was!!
We’re also excited to announce the Virtual Goalie Coaching 2-Day Mini-Camp with Tillman Johnson.
We’re doing it as a fundraiser for the National MS Society. Ticket sales proceeds will be donated to that cause.
In 2006, Tillman’s sister was diagnosed with MS. He’s seen first hand the mental and physical pain caused by the disease and helping others fight MS is a cause near and dear to his heart.
Come learn from the GOAT while benefitting a great cause near and dear to Tillman’s heart. Goalie coaching for a cause!
Learn more about the Tillman Johnson mini-camp
Show Notes
Interview with Tillman Johnson on YouTube
Pics and Videos of Tillman Johnson
P.S. – Ready to take the next step? Here are 3 powerful ways I can help you:
1.
Join the Lax Goalie Rat Academy
Unlock your full potential inside the premier training program for lacrosse goalies. Get exclusive access to technique tutorials, drills, mental game strategies, lacrosse IQ development, and direct coaching from Coach Damon. Join 400+ goalies who are leveling up their skills and confidence.
2.
Master the Goalie Parent Role
Being a goalie parent is harder than playing the position. That’s why I created the Lacrosse Goalie Super Mom/Dad course — designed for parents with zero lacrosse experience who still want to support their goalie. You’ll learn how to train them (yes, really), but more importantly, how to guide them through the emotional highs and lows of the game.
3.
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