Name: Dawson Hawkins
Year Inducted: 1973
Category: Coaches
Schools / Organizations:
(Peoria) Central High School
Pekin High School
Biography:
Dawson "Dawdy" Hawkins was one of the premier defensive coaches in the nation. His teams won 580 games and 3 State Championships—1 in Nebraska (1949) and 2 in Illinois with Pekin HS in 1964 and 1967. His teams have finished 2nd in State twice—1948 in Nebraska and in 1953 at Peoria Central. 8 times his teams have gone to the State finals. 1953-54-56 with Peoria Central and 1964-65-66-67-73 with Pekin. Coach Hawkins is also a member of the Nebraska Wesleyan Hall of Fame. Coach Hawkins passed away on June 15, 1997.