New Coaches Join the L&C Lineup
Golf: Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson joins the Pioneers after a year as head coach of the University of La Verne Leopards, where he led the men’s team to a top 10 national ranking. Prior to moving to Southern California, Johnson led the New York University Violets to the 2019 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship title, the same year in which the men’s team qualified for its second straight national tournament.
“The Lewis & Clark program has incredible potential, being in an amazing city with the most beautiful campus I’ve ever visited,” Johnson says. “It’s an ideal environment for the student-athlete to prosper, succeed in their studies, and have an amazing college experience.”
Volleyball: Erin Labasan
Erin Labasan joins Lewis & Clark following a decade as a successful assistant and cohead coach in collegiate volleyball. Over the last two seasons, Labasan helped Grinnell College garner an NCAA tournament berth and a conference championship as well as set program records for win percentage and All-American, all-region, and all-conference awards. “I’m overjoyed and grateful to join Lewis & Clark,” Labasan says. “The opportunity to work with incredible student-athletes at a top liberal arts institution in my home state is absolutely unmatched.”
Football: Joe Bushman
After a stellar career as a Division III football coach, Jay Locey is retiring. Under his leadership, the Pioneers achieved their largest win totals since 2012 in each of the last two years and won the Wagon Wheel traveling trophy four straight seasons for the first time in decades. With Locey leading the program, Lewis & Clark won at least three games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2011–12 and produced two of only five seasons with at least three victories since 2004.
“I feel very positive about the progress that was made in building this program,” Locey says. “I want to thank all of our players and coaches for their blood, sweat, and tears over the last seven years as well as every person who has ever been a part of the Lewis & Clark football program.”
Joe Bushman, who previously served as L&C’s offensive coordinator, will be taking over as head coach. Under Bushman’s leadership, the Pioneer offense ramped up in both 2019 and 2021, his first two seasons in the role. Lewis & Clark’s 29.3 points per game and 2,260 passing yards in 2021 are the program’s most in each category since 2011 and 2013, respectively.
“I am grateful to Coach Locey for giving me the opportunity to coach at Lewis & Clark and show me the ins and outs of coaching the college game,” Bushman says. “He is a great mentor and role model for young men. The program has made some really nice strides during his tenure, and I’ve been fortunate to be a part of it the last few years.”
As a quarterback at Benson High School in Portland, Bushman helped lead his team to a state title in 1988. Later, as a coach, he led Clackamas High School to its first-ever championship in 2017 and was named Oregon 6A Coach of the Year.
Johnson Scores a Record-Breaking Season
Delsie Johnson BA ’21 hit a free throw midway through the third quarter in February’s women’s basketball game against the University of Puget Sound; then, on the next possession, she grabbed a rebound to surpass 1,000 points and 600 rebounds, respectively, for her career.
Both milestones are remarkable, but given that Johnson missed an entire season after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the 2020–21 schedule, her accomplishment is extraordinary. Following the conclusion of Johnson’s senior season, she finished with a 14.3-point-per-game average, the third best in Lewis & Clark history. She nearly averaged a double-double for her career at 8.9 rebounds per game.
Johnson’s 632 career rebounds rank seventh all-time at Lewis & Clark, while her 1,044 points land her at 11th in school history. Johnson led the Pioneers to their most victories during her time on campus (11 wins) this season.
