Erickson named RIIAAA Athletic Director of Year

In just his third year in Johnston, Justin Erickson was named the Rhode Island Interscholastic Athletic Administrator Association’s Athletic Director of the Year for his recent work in the town’s sports scene.
After spending time as Cranston’s middle school athletic director, Erickson would make the move to Cherry Hill and has made his presence felt at both the high school and middle school. In the past year, he has helped give the Ferri Middle School gym a facelift while also leading the charge in the high school’s standing as a Unified Champion School for Special Olympics. He has also been a driving force behind girls flag football inching its way toward being a varsity sport, among other initiatives taking place in the town.
“It’s a big accomplishment, I’m pretty excited to get it. I wasn’t expecting to get it, I was just happy to be nominated. It made me feel like the king of the world and it gave me confidence that I’m credible as a young person doing this job,” said Erickson.
As a young athletic director, Erickson admitted that he had a thing or two to learn when he made the move from Cranston, and thanked those in the town, specifically the coaches, for helping him along the way.
“There were (a few) things I didn’t know, some were the policies between Cranston and Johnston and how they were different. I also wasn’t expecting the hours that would be put in,” Erickson said. “Things are improving, this award isn’t just for me, it’s a culmination of the work between me and our coaches. They’re the ones with the boots on the ground.”
Erickson and his staff are looking to stay active in the year 2025. Whether it is providing improvements to the facilities, new uniforms and other amenities, Erickson hopes to retain student-athletes in the town’s public school system and give them a reason to be proud.
“Everyone is buying in and buying into the community. We want our kids to be student-athletes first and we want to have one of the best athletics departments in the state both on the field and in the classroom,” Erickson said. “Working hand in hand with our middle school and high school principals, getting new uniforms, the kids want to look good and feel good. We want to give them the best experience they can get.”