Aurora University, an NCAA Division III institution, has hired the first head coach to run the Spartan lacrosse program, the newest program added to the athletic department. Brendan Dawson has been tabbed to run the Spartan men’s lacrosse program, which will begin a varsity schedule in the spring of 2011.
“We are very excited to have Brendan join our program and university. He is a wonderful young coach and will have an immediate impact on our department,” said AU Athletic Director Mark Walsh. “Brendan’s high energy and very strong DIII philosophy regarding the student-athlete experience will lead to the growth of the program.”
Dawson comes to AU from Dickinson College where he spent the 2008-2009 season as an assistant coach for the Red Devil’s men’s lacrosse program. Prior to his one season at Dickinson, Dawson spent two years at his alma mater, Salisbury University. Dawson won two national championships as a player at Salisbury and added two more to his resume as an assistant coach for the Seagulls. Dawson was a four-year letter winner at Salisbury and was twice selected captain in 2003 and 2004. He brings a wealth of big-game experience as a player and coach.
"I would like to thank Aurora University, President Dr. Rebecca Sherrick and Athletic Director Mark Walsh for providing me with the great opportunity to build the first ever NCAA sponsored men's lacrosse team in Illinois. I am excited about the challenge ahead of me and look forward to becoming a part of the Aurora University community,” said Dawson. “I would also like to thank Salisbury University and Dickinson College, in particular Jim Berkman and Dave Webster, for providing me with the foundation necessary to embark on this new challenge."
Dawson earned a B.A. in history and political science (2004) and an M.A. in teaching with a focus in social studies (2008) from Salisbury University.
AU will begin the lacrosse program with current student-athletes who have expressed an interest in the sport, along with incoming student-athletes. As dropping sports has become a welcomed trend among college athletics, AU is going against the norm. Those interested in pursuing a career in lacrosse at the college level are encouraged to contact the Aurora University Athletic Department for further information.
Aurora University is a member of the Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) which began its first season of competition in the fall of 2006. The NAC consists of 13 colleges and universities from the shared-border states of Illinois and Wisconsin. Member schools include: Alverno College, Aurora University, Benedictine University, Concordia University Chicago, Concordia University Wisconsin, Dominican University, Edgewood College, Lakeland College, Maranatha Baptist Bible College, Marian College, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Rockford College and Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Aurora University sponsors all of the 18 Northern Athletics Conference sponsored sports. Men's teams include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. Women's squads are fielded in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, and volleyball.