Marshall University Athletics
Big Green Announces Red Dawson Endowment Scholarship
4/15/2025 11:00:00 AM | Football, Big Green Scholarship Foundation
Endowment to benefit football student-athlete bears name of one of Marshall Athletics’ most important and legendary historical figures
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Big Green Scholarship Foundation and Marshall Athletics are pleased to announce the establishment of the Red Dawson Endowment.
The Red Dawson Endowment will go to aid a football student-athlete at Marshall University for years to come.
"The word 'legend' is often overstated in describing someone, but not in the case of Red Dawson," said John Sutherland, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development and Executive Director of the Big Green Scholarship Foundation. "His love and commitment to Marshall are indeed legendary and this endowed scholarship for a football player at Marshall is well-deserved. He may well be the most beloved Son of Marshall, and the Big Green is honored to be a part of his legacy."
Dawson's place within the historical framework of Marshall Athletics is well-documented as he was one of the most impactful pillars who helped Marshall Football rebuild after the devastation of the 1970 Marshall Plane Crash.
Dawson joined Marshall's coaching staff in 1968 as a receivers coach and was not on the fated Southern Airways Flight 932 on Nov. 14, 1970, due to a recruiting trip which led to him driving from East Carolina's Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium when the tragedy occurred.
In Marshall's greatest time of need, Dawson put his personal grief aside to help Marshall Football rebuild, staying on as an assistant for new head coach Jack Lengyel while being an integral figure in recruiting that helped lead the Thundering Herd to one of the most iconic moments in Marshall Athletics' history – a 15-13 win over Xavier on Sept. 25, 1971 that marked Marshall Football's first win over an opponent since the crash.
After leaving coaching in 1972, Dawson stayed in the Huntington area as a key community figure and business leader, among his other integral roles as a supporter of Marshall Football.
In addition to serving as a main character, central fact-gathering figure and consultant for the movie 'We Are Marshall', Dawson has also been a fixture for years at Marshall games and practices, coming to support the team that he has been tied to for 57 years now.
With the Red Dawson Endowment Scholarship, Dawson's legacy with Marshall Athletics is further cemented as he continues to positively impact the Marshall Football program for years to come.
"We are so grateful to have a scholarship for student-athletes that bears the name of Coach Red Dawson," said Alicia Parker, Associate Director of Development for Endowments and Major Gifts for Marshall Athletics. "His legacy and impact on the football program at Marshall University is profound."
The Big Green Scholarship Foundation's Endowment Scholarship Program plays an important role for Marshall University Intercollegiate Athletics. Endowed gifts are donations which are invested, with the interest generated from the principal used to fund scholarships to benefit Marshall student-athletes.
These gifts permanently link the names of endowment donors and their loved ones to Marshall Athletics and their programs forever. For more information on the Big Green Scholarship Foundation's Endowment Scholarship Program, contact the Big Green at (304) 696-4661.
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