Harris, Swallows honored as Tennessee Tech celebrates 75 years of its top football award

Josh Harris and Dr. Grant Swallows returned to Tennessee Tech University on Saturday, Nov. 14, to be recognized at a brunch marking the 75th anniversary of the Robert Hill Johnson Award. Harris won the award in 1998, and Swallows won it in 2001.

The Robert Hill Johnson Award is Tennessee Tech football’s highest honor. The Golden Eagles players vote on the recipient each year, so both Harris and Swallows earned the distinction from the teammates who played alongside them.

Harris is the head wrestling coach and an assistant football coach at Warren County High School. Swallows serves as director of Warren County Schools. He earned three degrees from Tennessee Tech and spent three years as the university’s associate athletics director for development.

Bill Johnson established the award in memory of his older brother, Robert Hill Johnson. Tennessee Tech first presented it on Thanksgiving Day in 1952 during halftime of the Golden Eagles’ game against Middle Tennessee. The first recipient, Flavious Smith, is listed in the anniversary program as the 1951 winner. Past recipients also include NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore, who won the award in 1985.

The program from Tennessee Tech’s 75th anniversary brunch lists past Robert Hill Johnson Award recipients, including Josh Harris (1998) and Grant Swallows (2001). The award is Tennessee Tech football’s highest honor.

Saturday’s brunch included a message from the Johnson family. Harris and Swallows wore commemorative medallions as Tennessee Tech recognized past recipients.