A LEADER ON THE RISE

Miners Vice President Ken Johnson Elected as Vice President of the MWUF (Mid-West United Football League)

The Dubuque Miners are proud to celebrate a milestone moment not just for our organization, but for the entire Mid-West United Football League. Our very own Vice President, Ken Johnson, has officially been nominated and voted in as Vice President of the MWUF, a role that represents years of dedication, leadership, community building, and a lifelong commitment to elevating the sports he loves and enjoys.

This achievement isn’t just a personal honor. It’s a major step forward for the Miners, for Dubuque, and for the future of the league.

a decade of strength: building earned not given barbell

Long before stepping into league leadership, Ken was already building something meaningful in the community.

For 10 years, he has owned and operated Earned Not Given Barbell along side his great friends Jeff Johnson and Tim Wunder. “ENG” is a gym built on resilience, grit, and a culture rooted in doing things the right way. A gym starting in a 400sqft garage, now expanded to a 5,000sqft mecca to strength sports. And an organization that gives back to our Nations Veterans by way of free membership. Over the decade, ENG Barbell has hosted:

- Amateur Strongman Competitions
- Professional Strongman Competitions
- Powerlifting Meets
- Local Charity events and community gatherings

Through this work, Ken has helped hundreds of lifters from average gym goers, to elite world-level strength athletes, find a place where they belonged, grew, and pushed their limits. That same mindset has carried directly into everything he now brings to the grid-iron.

Humble beginnings: ken’s football journey in dubuque

Ken’s connection to football began long before the Miners or his gym ever existed.

Ken began his football journey in grade school, continuing on in high school playing for the Dubuque Hempstead Mustangs from 2004-2007, and furthering his playing days from 2009-2010 on the Amateur level. Ken played with a previous team that existed in Dubuque from 2009-2012, competing in the inaugural season and contributing the foundations of organized amateur football in the city. After the 2010 season, he left the team, but the spark never faded.

That early experience laid the groundwork for what would come years later. A vision not just to bring football back to Dubuque, but to build it into something bigger, something professional, and something the community could truly rally behind.

founding the dubuque miners: a dream built with a teammate and friend

When the time was right, Ken teamed up with Tony Hammel, a longtime friend, high school teammate, and fellow player from those early Dubuque amateur football days.

Together, while sharing a cold beer at The Doghouse Lounge in Dubuque, they began to construct the very early beginnings of the Dubuque Miners.

What started as two former teammates and friends sharing a vision, has become one of the fastest growing and most professionally run organizations in the Midwest. Their combined leadership, experience, and passion for building opportunities have shaped the Miners into a model program. One rooted in community, character, and accountability.

a significant moment for dubuque: a miner leading the mwuf

Ken’s election as Vice President of the MWUF is more than a title.
It is:

- A powerful representation of the Miners’ professionalism
- A seat at the table where the league’s future is shaped
- A voice for Dubuque and all teams striving to grow the sport
- A recognition of the culture and credibility our organization has earned

For the Miners, this means having leadership at the league level who understands the daily operations of a modern, community focused, athlete first organization. It ensures that our values, standards, and the needs of our players and coaches are represented in every major decision the league makes.

It’s a massive win for the Miners Family, and for the entire Dubuque community that stands behind us.

why this matters for the future

With Ken stepping into this role, the MWUF gains a leader with:

- Operational experience from running events, handling logistics, and managing large-scale competitions
- Team-building experience from starting and sustaining a successful athletic-based business
- Community experience from years of giving back, developing athletes, and building local partnerships
- Football experience that spans playing, executive work, and team founding
- A big-picture vision for where amateur football can go when it’s built professionally

This isn’t just a personal milestone, it’s the evolution of the league itself, guided by someone who has already proven what it takes to build and sustain excellence.

a new chapter for the miners and the mwuf

As the Dubuque Miners grow, having one of our own helping guide the entire MWUF is a reflection of our program’s trajectory and the culture that has been built from day one.
Ken’s leadership is rooted in the same principles that define both ENG Barbell and the Miners

- Earn everything
- Service the community
- Lift others up
- Lead with integrity
- Build opportunities for everyone involved

And now, that mindset will be poured into shaping the league’s future, creating more structure, stronger competition, improved standards, and more opportunities for athletes, coaches, and teams across the Midwest.

form the miners to the mwuf: congratulations, vice president johnson

On behalf of the entire Miners’ Nation:
Congratulations to our Vice President, Ken Johnson, on being elected Vice President of the MWUF.

This is a moment of pride, a moment of celebration, and a moment that reaffirms why this organization was built in the first place. To create opportunities, uplift our community, and push the sport forward.

The Miners are proud.
Dubuque is proud.
And the MWUF is lucky to have a leader like Ken stepping into this role.

Here’s to the future!