London, England native Steve Dawson built the Wittenberg men's soccer program into a formidable presence on the regional NCAA Division III scene before retiring from college coaching in 2014.

Wittenberg has made five appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament since 1991, and the Tigers put together a .500 record or better every year from 1987 through 2001. In 1991 and 1992, Wittenberg lost hard-fought one-goal matches each year to North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Ohio Wesleyan, the eventual national runner-up. And in 1993 and 1996, the Tigers lost similar one-goal decisions to another NCAC rival, Kenyon, which also went on to finish second in the tournament each year. Most recently, the Tigers wrapped up the best overall season in school history with a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Carroll (Wis.) in the first round of the 2008 national tournament. All five of Wittenberg's NCAA Division III Tournament losses have been by one goal.

Named NCAC Coach of the Year an unprecedented three consecutive years in 1991, '92 and '93, Dawson led the Tigers to their first-ever NCAC championship in 1993. Now with a career record of 297-251-39 through the 2013 season, Dawson led Wittenberg to a sparkling 121-57-9 record from 1990-98. Seventy-six of those victories came by shutout. During that span, Dawson's teams had 20 players named first-team All-NCAC. Dawson won his 200th career game on Oct. 17, 2001 against Wabash College. Five players have participated in the Ohio Collegiate All-Star Game in recent years.

Dawson coached at four different schools in England before coming to the United States. A graduate of Loughborough University in Leicestershire, England, he earned his master's degree from Kent State University in 1981 and his doctorate from The Ohio State University in 1994.

Dawson formerly coached both swimming and men's soccer at Wittenberg before concentrating on the latter while continuing to teach classes. Currently the chair of Wittenberg's Health, Fitness and Sport Department, Dawson has a variety of coaching honors and licenses, including the English FA Coaching Badge, the NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and the USSF A License. He has even coached gymnastics in his long and distinguished career. Dawson recently helped produce a DVD for coaches on training techniques, which can be purchased online.

Dawson resides in Springfield with his wife, Debbie. They have three children, Jessica, Brenton and Jennie.