April 22, 2009
DAWKINS STEPS DOWN AS THUNDERWOLVES WRESTLING HEAD COACH
THUNDER BAY, Ont. - Lakehead Athletics announced that Lakehead Thunderwolves wrestling head coach Owen Dawkins has resigned his position as coach of both the men's and women's wrestling teams. Dawkins is resigning to take the head coaching position at his alma mater, the University of Alberta. Dawkins will start his new position at Alberta at the beginning of June.
Dawkins coached four seasons at Lakehead, his first CIS head coaching position, and posted some strong results.
Under his leadership, Lakehead's men notched three second-place finishes and a fifth at the OUA championships and fourth, third, fifth and seventh at the CIS national championships, while the women were third three times plus and a fourth at the OUA championships and three sixth-place finishes and a seventh at the CIS championships. Dawkins was named OUA men's wrestling coach of the year in 2005-06.
In his four seasons, Lakehead had four CIS individual male champions, seven OUA individual male champions, one OUA male MVP, four female OUA champions, and one female OUA MVP. The team also had 10 all-Canadians, 12 CIS medalists, and multiple OUA all-stars. Lakehead also had 22 age-group and senior national medalists.
Lakehead Athletics director Tom Warden said Dawkins contributions were appreciated.
"I would like to thank Owen for his service with Lakehead Wrestling and wish him all the best in his future coaching endeavours."
Dawkins said that his four years at Lakehead University have been the best four years of his life.
"My time spent here has helped me grow as a coach and as person. Leaving Lakehead was the hardest decision that I have ever had to make. My athletes are like my family, I hold each and every one of them in a special place in my heart. From our elementary program to our club program, I have developed a very special relationship with them all and it will be very hard to leave. I would like to thank Lakehead Athletics for giving me the opportunity to coach their varsity wrestling team over the past four years. I would also like to thank the parents of my athletes for entrusting me with their children, and most important my athletes for giving me the chance to help them achieve their goals. My only regret is that I will not be here to see our athletes achieve greatness; our men's and women's varsity team will be strong for years to come."
Source: Lakehead Athletics
Dawkins coached four seasons at Lakehead, his first CIS head coaching position, and posted some strong results.
Under his leadership, Lakehead's men notched three second-place finishes and a fifth at the OUA championships and fourth, third, fifth and seventh at the CIS national championships, while the women were third three times plus and a fourth at the OUA championships and three sixth-place finishes and a seventh at the CIS championships. Dawkins was named OUA men's wrestling coach of the year in 2005-06.
In his four seasons, Lakehead had four CIS individual male champions, seven OUA individual male champions, one OUA male MVP, four female OUA champions, and one female OUA MVP. The team also had 10 all-Canadians, 12 CIS medalists, and multiple OUA all-stars. Lakehead also had 22 age-group and senior national medalists.
Lakehead Athletics director Tom Warden said Dawkins contributions were appreciated.
"I would like to thank Owen for his service with Lakehead Wrestling and wish him all the best in his future coaching endeavours."
Dawkins said that his four years at Lakehead University have been the best four years of his life.
"My time spent here has helped me grow as a coach and as person. Leaving Lakehead was the hardest decision that I have ever had to make. My athletes are like my family, I hold each and every one of them in a special place in my heart. From our elementary program to our club program, I have developed a very special relationship with them all and it will be very hard to leave. I would like to thank Lakehead Athletics for giving me the opportunity to coach their varsity wrestling team over the past four years. I would also like to thank the parents of my athletes for entrusting me with their children, and most important my athletes for giving me the chance to help them achieve their goals. My only regret is that I will not be here to see our athletes achieve greatness; our men's and women's varsity team will be strong for years to come."
Source: Lakehead Athletics
