JANESVILLE, Wis. (Aug. 15, 2025) – Forward Janesville, the city’s Chamber of Commerce and private sector economic development leader, today announced that Mark Johnson, eight-time NCAA Championship Head Coach of the University of Wisconsin women’s hockey program and player on the 1980 U.S. Olympic “Miracle On Ice” team, will be the featured speaker for Forward Janesville’s Annual Dinner.
The Nov. 5 event, presented by ABC Supply Co., Blain’s Farm and Fleet, Boomerang Home Rentals, JP Cullen, Nowlan Law and Zilber Property Group, will be held at the Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center.
Sponsorships, including additional presenting sponsorships, and tickets are now available here.
“The Forward Janesville Annual Dinner is always a highlight of the year,” said Mick Gilbertson, Chair of Forward Janesville’s Board of Directors. “The event provides the opportunity for us to come together to see and feel the ‘Power of Community.’ The newly completed Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center will provide a tremendous venue for the biggest and best Annual Dinner yet.”
“In many ways, it took a miracle for the Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center to become a reality – from its conceptual days in 2017 to securing nearly $50 million in funding from city, state and federal resources and private donations to getting set to open next month,” said Shar Hermanson, President and CEO of Forward Janesville. “So it feels fitting, and exciting, to bring an all-star coach and player who is familiar with miracles to Janesville for one of the first major events inside the WSCC.”
Johnson, a Madison native and former Badgers standout, has compiled a 667-120-55 record in 22 seasons coaching the UW women’s hockey team. During that time, the Badgers have won eight national championships, including one earlier this year, as well as 10 regular-season conference titles and 11 conference playoff titles. He is a five-time and reigning ACHA Division I Coach of the Year, producing 25 All-Americans and six Patty Kazmaier Award Winners (national player of the year).
As a player, Johnson skated for the Badgers men’s program from 1976-79. During that time, Wisconsin won the NCAA championship in 1977. Johnson was the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Year, a two-time All-American and became the Badgers’ second all-time leading scorer with 256 points, including 125 goals, in just three seasons.
Johnson was a standout forward on the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team that pulled off the legendary “Miracle on Ice” by defeating the heavily favored Soviet Union and ultimately winning gold in Lake Placid. He scored two pivotal goals in the iconic semifinal game against the USSR, including a critical equalizer just before the end of the first period—a moment widely viewed as a turning point in the upset. Johnson led the team in scoring throughout the tournament with 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists), playing a central role in one of the most celebrated achievements in American sports history.
Johnson will share more about his journey and his track record for building successful programs at Forward Janesville’s Annual Dinner, which has long been an important event in Janesville’s community fabric. It is an opportunity for business, public, and not-for-profit leaders to come together and hear national speakers address topics such as leadership, politics, civic service, communication, and business.
Learn more and register for the event at www.forwardjanesville.com/dinner