Hall of Honor
Thousands of people, young and old alike, have benefited from Pat Dawson’s long and dedicated career in athletics and recreation. A native Beloiter, schooled during the Tommy Mills era, he won three letters each in football and baseball and played three other sports. He was a quarterback with an educated toe, gaining national recognition in 1924 by drop-kicking four field-goals in Beloit’s 12-11 Homecoming win over Carleton and receiving All-America mention. When injuries cut short a possible professional career, he became a successful high school coach. Dawson was named Janesville’s Athletic Director in 1930 – and eventually coached eight sports there. After World War II service as an intelligence-liaison officer and a member of General Eisenhower’s staff, he returned to Janesville as a recreation director, launching a program in grade-school intramurals and summer playground activities and developing it into many adult fields. His efforts earned the department three Freedoms Foundation awards, and a George Washington honor medal. He also found time to head numerous state recreational and physical education associations, and to be an American Legion baseball commissioner. Upon his retirement in 1969, Janesville expressed its appreciation for his exemplary community service by staging a “Pat Dawson’s Day”.
