USD Magazine Spring 2009

hen the call came that President Gerald Ford had

canceled plans to speak at USD’s School of Law 1976 commencement, then-Dean Don Wechstein didn’t fret. He just called on Hugh Friedman, president of the San Diego County Bar Association. “He had promised [them] a president,” Friedman recalls. And since it was an election year, he didn’t let Ford off easy: “I am especially humble to be here in his place, particularly since there are so many men in the land today who are really trying to take the president’s place.” Friedman’s been associated with the law school since he start- ed teaching night classes in 1958. He still teaches and writes corporate, business planning and securities law. “I never set out to be a law teacher, “ says Friedman, who was honored by USD in October to mark his fifti- eth year as an educator. “I want- ed to be a lawyer. I felt law was society’s best way of resolving conflicts and controversies of humankind in a bloodless way.” — Ryan T. Blystone

aiting doesn’t come easy for someone accustomed to making split-second decisions in the face of unrelenting pressure. But this wasn’t a pack of

his senior season — while racking up numerous awards along with virtually every major USD passing record. “Where we came from as freshmen to where we ended up as seniors is something I’m very proud of,” Johnson says. The transition from USD to the NFL has been fairly smooth, thanks in part to the guidance offered by his cousin, Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch. “He gave me an idea of what the workload would be like and what sort of distractions could come up and what to avoid,” Johnson says. “You don’t really have a lot of time to focus on anything other than football. In some ways, it’s just like any other 8-to-5 job.” On the other hand, it’s not exactly Office Space . Johnson has spent his rookie season as a backup to established veterans Jeff Garcia and Brian Griese. And while it’s been a challenge going from superstar to understudy, he’s confident that all his preparation and hard work will pay off when opportunity knocks. “In this league you see guys come and go so quick- ly,” Johnson says. “You have to prepare and play every day like it’s going to be the day. When my opportunity comes, I’ll be ready.” —Nathan Dinsdale

bloodthirsty defenders bearing down on Josh Johnson ’08. It was the future. And, for once, it was out of his control. So the most prolific quarterback in USD football history waited, as name after name was announced on a stage 3,000 miles away at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Then the phone rang. Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden was on the line. A few min- utes later, Johnson was officially an NFL quarterback. “I didn’t really have any expectations,” Johnson says. “I just figured I’d play four years of college foot- ball and then move on to something else.” On April 27, Johnson was selected in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft, a path paved by four phenomenal years at San Diego. Johnson led the Toreros to three league titles and a 31-4 record in three years as a starter — throwing a staggering 43 touchdown passes (with only one interception)

20

USD MAGAZINE