KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Southeastern University Track & Field Head Coach Nick Dodson has been selected for induction into the NAIA Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a student-athlete.
Dodson was the first signee in the history of Shorter University’s track and field program in 2006, and went on to become one of its most decorated athletes.
“I’m still in shock as this honor really caps off my athletic career. I can now close the book on my athletic career with the highest honor you can earn and reflect on so many great memories,” said Dodson. “A lot of people have their fingerprints on my journey from family, friends, coaches, and teammates.”
By the time he graduated, Dodson was a school-record holder in four events, and was an 11-time All-American in five different events.
“In addition to being a great student-athlete, Nick was and is an outstanding young man,” said Bill Peterson, the former Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Shorter, and also was Dodson’s position coach in football. “As a University, we were certainly blessed with his presence and he provided great guidance and leadership to our entire athletic program.”
The Thomasville, Ga. native decided to give up football and focus on track after his freshman year, a decision that paid a great dividend as his anchor leg of the 4×400 relay clinched the first team national championship in 2011. He also won the national championship in the 400 Meter Hurdles that year.
“He is a champion in every sense of the word,” said Peterson. “I have seen Nick grow as a student, as a leader, and as a coach. He has a great spirit and reflects so favorably on his Christian faith.”
Through his time in coaching, Dodson has had 48 national qualifiers and 28 individual conference champions, and led both the SEU men’s and women’s track teams to The Sun Conference title in their first seasons of competition.
“Nick brings such a high level of passion and energy to his leadership role here at SEU,” said Director of Athletics, Drew Watson. “It is no surprise that the same energy I see every day was present during his days as a student-athlete and propelled him to a National Championship. I am very proud of Nick on this very prestigious honor.”
Dodson will be honored during an induction ceremony at the 2020 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship in Gulf Shores, Ala.
“Being inducted means so much to me as it shows all my hard work and dedication to my craft. As I continue to mentor and set examples for my children and student-athletes, this honor is something I will refer to as an example that all hard work brings a profit,” said Dodson. “I want to thank everyone on the Hall of Fame committee for believing my career was worth such an honor. I also want to thank everyone who recommended me as it means a lot to my family and I.”