Name: David Johnston

Family: Wife Carol (BSEd from UGA’s College of Education), son Matthew Ruff, daughter-in-law Allison Ruff, grand-daughter Sydney Ruff

Hometown: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Current Town: Athens, Georgia (for the past 41 years)

What Years at UGA: 1985-90

School/Degree: Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication/ ABJ ‘90

Profession: Program Director and Morning Show co-host of 960 the Ref in Athens. Also, UGA Football and Baseball network broadcaster.

What life lessons did you learn while at UGA?

Learn and do what you’re truly passionate about. I started out as a business major but realized I would always regret not going the journalism route if I didn’t at least give it a try.

What professor did you most admire? 

Not a professor, but the UGA activities advisor to the student radio station 90.5 FM (WUOG), Candy Sherman. As the Sports Director of the station,  I was at a time in my college life that I thought radio could be my career. Candy was a positive force for me to pursue what turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. Thank you, Candy!

What do you consider your greatest achievement? 

(1) Marrying Carol. (2) Graduating from UGA.

Who are your heroes in real life? 

My parents, Jesse and Marian Johnston. I’m grateful for the personal sacrifices they made for me as a child and young adult. They also gave me their unconditional love. I know I tested them many times, but they were always there for me. If they were still alive, that’s what I would want them to know.

Quote(s) to live by:

“Mellow is the man who knows what he’s been missing. Many, many men can’t see the open road.” -Jimmy Page, Robert Plant

“No pressure, no diamonds.” -Thomas Carlyle

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A beautiful fall Saturday hanging out in Athens at the Church of Bourbon with Carol and my friends after a big Georgia win. Also, coming home from work to my dog, Kingsley, and the joy he shows every single time we see each other.

What is your most marked characteristic? 

I have been told that when I’m on the air, it comes across that I take my job seriously, but not always myself. I can live with that.

What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty, connection, and sense of humor. I’m in a fantasy football league with 13 of my Theta Chi fraternity brothers that goes back over three decades. I’m grateful that we’ve been able to stay so close over the years.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? 

I’m naturally left-handed, so I would like to go back in time and learn to play golf that way.

Who are your favorite writers? 

Scottish essayist and philosopher Thomas Carlyle. Genius!

Danish crime fiction writer Jussi Adler-Olsen. I love his Dept. Q books.

Fave social media and who to follow?

Most of my social media time is spent on X, formerly Twitter. I’m always checking the college football, college baseball and golf feeds.