Itawamba Community College (ICC) dubs the recent signing of Sequatchie County’s Courtney Dawson as adding a “powerful Tennessee all-star” to their roster. Dawson stepped into the Lady Indian’s tryouts, knocking the first six pitches out of the park, reports ICC Head Softball Coach Chad Case.
At age five, Dawson knew all she wanted to do was play softball on the college level.
“This is pretty awesome,” said Dawson. “My dream came true – dreams really do come true. I have dreamed of playing college ball since I was five.”
She did not start playing softball like many children at that age on a recreational league team. She started on a five-year-old select team out of Chattanooga and continued to play select ball during the spring, summer and fall until this year. After entering high school she played for the Lady Indians, with three of those years under the supervision of Coach Courtney Stewart and Assistant Coach Pete Swafford.
Coach Stewart is proud of Dawson and of the fact she had four of five senior players move on to the college level. Two will be playing for Chattanooga State Community College and one for Northwest Florida State Community College, she noted.
“Courtney is a team player. She was co-captain this past season and worked hard on the field,” said Coach Stewart. “Her hard work, along with parental support helped her get where she is. She has put a lot of time into becoming a player that can advance to the next level.”
While at SCHS, Dawson was named All-District three years. She had the opportunity this year to play in the Tennessee versus Georgia All-Star game where she picked up the win in Tennessee's 12-2 five-inning victory in the second game of the series. She was named to the Times Free Press Best of Preps second-team after leading Sequatchie’s team with 11 home runs, 39 RBI, and 21 walks her senior season. Defensively for Sequatchie, Dawson played third and first bases, plus was called on to pitch at times.
“It’s been a tough road,” said Dawson. “I went to workout for Coach Case, but the college could only give four out-of-state scholarships. A player from New Zealand decided to sign with another college so that opened up a spot for me. God was with me the whole time, making my dream become a reality.”
Coach Case has been with ICC for the past nine years. His team won the North Division title in Mississippi. There are six teams in the division.
“I hope to play Courtney at third base,” said Coach Case. He noted he was very impressed with her ability to be a power hitter.
Dawson will be trading in her Sequatchie County purple and gold for blue and red of the Itawamba, but will remain a Lady Indian. Her mother and father, Lora and Greg Dawson, look forward to following her and the ICC Lady Indians. Greg Dawson wore a purple and gold hat while his daughter played for the Indians, and he recently found a red and blue one to sport the colors of the Itawamba Lady Indians.