Woodward is in his 22nd season as an assistant baseball coach at SJU in the 2026-27 academic year.
He previously served as the Johnnies' junior-varsity coach and recruiting coordinator. A 1970 graduate of Saint John's, Woodward received the J-Club's Distinguished Service Award in 2024.Â
Woodward played football for the Johnnies for two seasons. He has been involved with SJU athletics in some form or fashion almost ever since.
He worked as an aspiring sportswriter at the St. Cloud Times, and in New Jersey and Illinois, for a few years after his graduation in 1970. But in 1973, he returned to his alma mater as the school's news service director, overseeing SJU sports information. It was in that capacity that Woodward followed the SJU football team on the road during the run to the 1976 Division III national title.
Woodward moved on to a position in institutional advancement in 1980, serving as director of alumni relations and taking a leading role with the J-Club as secretary. Â With approval from the J-Club board, membership went beyond former Johnnie student-athletes to include alumni, parents and friends; marketing featured J-Club lapel pins, luggage tags and clothing as well as the traditional pass for two to home athletic contests. Â
The staff administrator coordinating J-Club activities, Woodward was on the point in establishing the Gagliardi Trophy in 1993. The award is named in honor of legendary former Johnnies head football coach John Gagliardi and presented annually to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III. It was sponsored by Jostens for many years before Stearns Bank came aboard as the sponsor.
Woodward also designed the SJU No. 1 logo used for more than 20 years on printed programs, playing fields and uniforms.
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