by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
The Tiospa Zina Tribal School (SD) football season record was 4-4. Many star athletes are found in .500 or lower winning teams. This is also the case with the Tiospa Zina Tribal School team.
Johnny German III is a 5’11, senior, football and basketball player at Tiospa Zina Tribal School, SD. His tribe is Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. His parents are John German Jr. and Amber Rodlund and guardians are James German and Elsie German. He lives in Sisseton, South Dakota.
“A Dakota value I follow daily is respect,” said Johnny. “I was taught to respect others and you’ll earn respect back. Everyday on and off the field, or even just in a classroom you need to respect your teachers, family members and peers, most importantly you need to respect your elders. If you want to get far in your career of being an athlete you have to respect your coaches but most importantly respect yourself. I use my class time seriously just as I do on the football field.”
“Mike Peters, head football coach, is a positive influence,” said Johnny. “As a freshman he put the touch in my hands to lead the football team at a young age and not only that he helped me develop into a leader off the field such as in the classroom, he helped me develop into the football player I am today.”
“Johnny has been starting at the quarterback position for four years,” said Coach Mike Peters. “During the past four years he has grown into a great competitor and team leader. I have seen Johnny develop not only as an athlete but also as a well-rounded young man. This young man has been playing and excelling at multiple sports since he could first throw a ball. He has recently committed to playing football at University of Minnesota-Morris. Our community is very proud of Johnny and I honestly think the sky is the limit for him.”
“Boyd Sussex is another mentor in my corner and has taught me a lot about life and sports,” said Johnny. “This man has an answer for anything I’ve asked him, He’s been there through thick and thin and I couldn’t thank him enough for that.”
“Younger athletes at TZ look to Johnny as an important figure in our school,” said Boyd Sussex. “Staff, athletes, and students of all ages respect and respond well to him. He also shows a level of maturity that few others show. I am a long time coach and athletic director and talk to Johnny frequently about leadership. He is extremely interested and works to implement those things we talk about into his own leadership style. It might be getting athletes in the weight room to how you handle your dealings with officials and opponents.”
“With Johnny’s interest in sports and how others respond to him I have been talking to him about coaching. He has listened and seems receptive to the idea. I would be extremely pleased if he followed this career path,” said Boyd.
“Head basketball Coach/Athletic Director Mike Carlson has definitely been there from hard times to the best times,” said Johnny. “He’s helped me through it all, he’s taught me a lot about character on and off the court, and he’s one guy I can count on if I ever need anything. He treats not only me but also my teammates like one of his own.”
“I’ve been playing sports since the third grade but football is my sport of choice,” said Johnny. “I took my football IQ very seriously and I think I still haven’t reached my full potential. I stay busy year-round with sports, such as football, golf, basketball, baseball, and I’ve started getting into lacrosse. During the summer I travel around the U.S. playing basketball for ’Team Wambdi’ coached by Francis Crawford and Jerrad Max. I think what helped me excel in the sports I play is my competitiveness. I have the will to win even if it is a little game of connect 4 in the classroom. I’ll try my hardest to win, losing isn’t in my category even when it happens sometimes. I still have lots left to prove so college football is what’s on my mind after high school.”
“My student accomplishments brought me great grades, attendance, student of the months throughout my high school career,” said Johnny. “The athlete accomplishments include 1st Team All-conference, and receiving a star-quilt in honor of my late coach Travis ‘Teejay’ Max Jr. There’s numerous football and basketball awards throughout my high school career that I’ve received that made me want to work even harder to be better than anyone that steps in front of me on the field and court.”
“The advice I give is put student before athlete,” said Johnny. “You can’t be an athlete without good grades and attendance. Respect all teachers, students around you and most importantly respect yourself and make wise decisions. Be a student-athlete that the younger generation could look up to, you’d be surprised on how much children look up to you. Leave a mark on your school and athletic program that younger generations can pick up where you left off.”
Photo Credit: John Heminger
Johnny is a great young man and in opinion the sky is the limit. I’ve been around for 40 some years in the sports world. There has been a great many young men and women that I got the opportunity to watch and know this young man has it all. If I could have a son I’d love it to be like Johnny my mom taught me to give and receive respect and that will help in life. Johnny has that respect and I really appreciate that and will miss him around school and watching him participate in sports. He really is a leader. He’ll do well in school and football at UMM Good wishes to you my boy don’t give up. Gordie