A native of Holyoke , Massachusetts , Johnson played at Northeast - 10 rival Merrimack College from 1996 - 99 .
Was a two - time NE - 10 All - Conference selection , garnering First Team honors in 1998 .
A native of Holyoke , Massachusetts , Johnson played at Northeast - 10 rival Merrimack College from 1996 - 99 and was a two - time NE - 10 All - Conference selection , garnering First Team honors in 1998 .