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John Carroll University Athletics

home of the Blue Streaks

Hall of Fame

Oliver Dawson aka Ollie Dawson from 1931 Football program

Ollie Dawson

  • Class
    1934
  • Induction
    1984
  • Sport(s)
    Football, Men's Tennis , Men's Basketball
Oliver "Ollie" Dawson was the first African-American to be inducted into the JCU Hall of Fame, as well as perhaps John Carroll’s most versatile star athlete of all time.

A Cleveland native who prepped at Collinwood High, Dawson was a power fullback on the 1931-33 squads while leading the team in scoring in both his junior and senior years.

As a guard on the Carroll basketball team, he was the second leading scorer on the squad for three consecutive seasons, 1931-32, 32-33 and 33-34.

He also was a number one singles player in tennis having played for the JCU team in 1933 and 1934.

Following his time at John Carroll, Dawson enjoyed a remarkable 41-year career at South Carolina State University,  the state's only public, historically black college and university (HBCU). S.C. State's stadium bears his name.

 
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