Office Phone: (937) 327-6456
E-Mail
Record: 249-179-28 (1983-1987; 1989-present)

Postal Address: Wittenberg University P.O. Box 720 Springfield, Ohio 45501

Package Shipping Address: Wittenberg University 225 Fountain Ave. Springfield, Ohio 45504

London, England native Steve Dawson has carefully built the Wittenberg men's soccer program into a formidable presence on the regional Division III scene. He was named North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year an unprecedented three consecutive years in 1991, '92 and '93 and led the Tigers to their first-ever NCAC championship in 1993.

Wittenberg has made four 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 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.

Dawson, with a career record of 249-179-28 through the 2007 season, 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-North Coast Athletic Conference. 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. He 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.

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Nick Roberts, a native of Manchester, England, and a 1994 graduate of Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., was named assistant men's soccer coach at Wittenberg prior to the 2006 season.

While this is Roberts' first season on the sidelines with the Tigers, it is far from his first coaching experience. From 2002-06, Roberts was the director of coaching for Santa Rosa United as well as the director of player development. Prior to his time with Santa Rosa, Roberts was assistant coach/head scout for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer from 1997-2001. From 1992-1995 Roberts was a head coach in the United Soccer Leagues (USL). Roberts also holds an English Football Association Preliminary Coaching License and a United States Soccer Federation National A License.

Roberts is also founder and president of Premier Sports Group International (PSG Sports), which has been directing European tours for American soccer teams since 1991. Before his coaching days, Roberts was a USL professional player and a collegiate player at Mercyhurst.

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