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Abby (Rosdahl) Johnson rowed at the University of Kansas from 1998-2000. After earning her undergraduate degree in 2000, Johnson remained at KU to attend graduate school and joined the rowing coaching staff. After receiving her Master’s degree in December 2002, Johnson moved to Minneapolis, Minn., to work at Ernst & Young. Johnson has risen to the position of Senior Manager in the advisory practice at the company. She is married to Tony Johnson, whom she met her freshman year at KU in Ellsworth Hall. Together, they have two girls, Carys, who already knows the Rock Chalk chant at the age of three, and Mirabel, who just turned one. Johnson, whose mother joked that she would pay for Johnson’s college education anywhere she went as long as the mascot was a Jayhawk, says that the decision to come to KU was an easy one. “I was born a Jayhawk. Although I looked around before deciding, KU just felt like home.” “I really don’t think you Johnson says she also planned on joining the rowing team upon attending KU. could find someone more “My best friend from high school is Rob’s first cousin. When I came dedicated to the team or for my visit as a high school senior, my mother and I went to meet Rob and the facilities in Allen Fieldhouse. That was the first year of the rowing sport than Rob. He takes see program and the weight equipment was still in the corner of the Fieldhouse so much pride in the behind a chain-link fence. It sounds so rudimentary but I was in Heaven. ladies’ accomplishments.” Growing up as a huge KU basketball fan, the thought of practicing every day in that building was the coolest thing. I knew I was going to try out from day one.” Johnson says she has many great memories from her time on the rowing team, including winning at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships her junior year and “I had a great experience. I learned getting stuck for 12 hours at Kansas City International Airport on the way to the Head of the Ohio, but she will about competitiveness, teamwork, also remember how much passion Coach Catloth showed overcoming challenges, confidence for the sport and team. “I really don’t think you could find someone more and pride. I have a circle of the most dedicated to the team or sport than Rob. He takes such pride amazing friends. I will always be in the ladies’ accomplishments, the equipment and that amazing, gorgeous boathouse. As someone who rowed for grateful for my years on the team.” him, it’s hard not to feel a sense of pride and confidence.” Johnson says she took away many things from her time with the rowing program that she still applies in life today. “I had a great experience and learned a ton about pushing my limits. I also learned about competitiveness, teamwork, overcoming challenges, confidence and pride. But most of all, I have a circle of the most amazing friends. They are like my sisters, and for that I will always be grateful for my years on the team.”
Abby Johnson Kansas Rower 1998-2000
The Rock Chalk Chant became a university-wide chant at KU in 1897. Kansas Rowing 2010-11| 53