[1] Johnson became the national light heavyweight intercollegiate champion in the "Collegiate Physical Efficiency Competitions," a decathlon style event emphasizing strength and running, defeating a competitor from Yale in the 1916 finals.

[1] After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1920, Johnson moved to New Mexico, where he hoped that the dry, warm climate would assist him in overcoming respiratory difficulties dating back to his wartime exposure to phosgene gas.

[2] For nearly 40 years, he served in multiple other positions, including head coach of the football, basketball, track and tennis teams, and an instructor of physical education.

"[3] In addition to coaching and teaching, Johnson was also assigned "the dubious task of building collegiate-level athletics facilities, many times doing the hard labor with his own hands.

[1] In 1931, New Mexico joined the Border Conference as a founding member under the direction of Johnson and University of Arizona coach Pop McKale.

For his many contributions, Johnson has been called the "architect of institutional sport and physical education in the American Southwest with particular application to The University of New Mexico.

The athletic program Coach Johnson built with Swedish determination has won him the admiration and affection of his students and co-workers and the nickname Ironhead.

[2] At the time of the gymnasium dedication, The Albuquerque Tribune wrote that his career at New Mexico made him "one of the best known figures of the southwest" and added:Roy Johnson was a stern taskmaster.

At the time of the 1940 United States Census, they lived at 1815 Roma Avenue in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a spot that is now on the UNM campus between the University House and the duck pond.