Black History Month Feature: Oliver "Ollie" Dawson '34

2/6/2024 10:49:00 AM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

Oliver "Ollie" Dawson '34 was the first Black athlete to be inducted into the John Carroll Athletic Hall of Fame. He also enjoyed a remarkable professional career (S.C. State headshot).

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- As we celebrate Black History Month in February, John Carroll Athletics remembers some of the trailblazers who made an impact in University Heights and beyond.

One such name is Oliver "Ollie" Dawson '34.

Dawson did impressive things at John Carroll, but his legacy extends far beyond Northeast Ohio.

Originally a native of Thomaston, Georgia, Dawson grew up in Cleveland. He later attended Collinwood High School on the east side of Cleveland. Upon arriving at John Carroll, Dawson became a star.

He was a power fullback for JCU Football in the 1931, 1932, and 1933 seasons. Dawson led the team in scoring in both his junior and senior seasons.

But he was not just a football player. Dawson starred as a guard for the Carroll basketball team. He stood as the second-leading scorer on the squad for three consecutive seasons in 1931-32, 1932-33 and 1933-34.

And not only that, Dawson additionally led the tennis team as the #1 singles player. Dawson's story does not end there.

Oliver Dawson aka Ollie Dawson from 1931 Football program — Dawson in 1931

Following his time in University Heights, he moved to South Carolina State in 1935. Over the course of the next 41 years, Dawson became a living legend at South Carolina's only public, historically black college and university (HBCU).

During his lengthy tenure at S.C. State, Dawson coached five sports, winning championships in four of them – football, basketball, tennis, and golf. He also coached track & field for the Bulldogs.

After starting as an assistant football in 1936, Dawson became the head coach the following season, and he held the position through 1950. His teams were consistent contenders in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). His 1947 Bulldogs were undefeated and played for the national championship for black colleges and universities.

Dawson guided the basketball team for 11 seasons, steering the squad to the program's first SIAC title in 1943. He was a 7-year leader of the tennis team and 4-year guide of the track & field team. Dawson founded the golf program and led the team as coach for six seasons, claiming four SIAC crowns.

Meanwhile, Dawson started the professional program in health and physical education at S.C. State and served as department chairman for 30 years. He served as athletic director for 16 seasons, overseeing "some of the most productive years in the history of the school's athletic program" as described in a school press release.

Additionally, Dawson earned a Master's degree from New York University in 1947 and did further study at Denver University and West Virginia University.

In 1974, Dawson became the first Black inductee into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1983, Dawson became a charter member of S.C. State College Athletic Hall of Fame. A year later in 1984, John Carroll enshrined him in the Athletic Hall of Fame, the first Black inductee.

On February 9, 1989, Dawson passed away after an extended illness at the age of 78.

Before his death, S.C. State renamed Bulldog Stadium in his honor to Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. Dawson's name still graces the facility to this day.

1932 John Carroll Football team — Dawson is in the second row, second from right, in this 1932 team photo

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