The Official Athletics Site Of The Warner University Royals

For over 40 years Buck Dawson has created a winning tradition wherever he has coached. Regarded as one of the best in cross country, Dawson brought his passion and recruiting knowledge to Warner, and began the men’s and women’s cross country teams here in 1991. 

Dawson spent most of his first year recruiting and his efforts paid off tremendously. The men’s team finished Runner-Up in the Florida Sun Conference in 1993, boasting mostly freshmen, with one male, Ramon Garcia (’97), and female Wictoria Bergstrom (’95), earning a trip to Kenosha, WI for the National Championship. Dawson was named the Florida Sun Conference Coach of the Year for both Men’s and Women’s Cross Country in 1993.

In 1994 and 1995, the Warner’s Men’s Cross Country team brought home consecutive Florida Sun Conference Championships under Dawson’s leadership. 

Dawson left Warner and took the head coaching position at Florida Southern College (FSC) in 1995. In his 12 years at FSC Dawson’s men’s teams won or shared 11 conference titles and made three trips to the NCAA Division II Championships. The women’s teams won six conference titles and made three trips to the NCAA Division II Championships. Dawson was also named the Men’s Cross Country Coach of Year 10 times and Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year six times.

His rich tradition of winning has earned Dawson induction into five Hall of Fames, making Warner his sixth induction honor. He joins the ranks of distinguished players and coaches at West Virginia State College, Morehead State University, Florida Southern College, The Sunshine State Conference and the Polk County Hall of Fame.

Dawson and his wife Roberta, reside in Morehead, Kentucky. His son Bill Dawson and former Warner University runner Ramon Garcia join us tonight to accept his award.