Athletic Hall of Fame
Dodie Dunson came to Brewster Academy as a talented postgraduate basketball player and earnest student hailing from Bloomington, Illinois. A standout player for Coach Jason Smith and the Bobcats in the 2005-2006 season, Dunson was an All-NEPSAC Class A selection who played his freshman collegiate season at Iowa State University. He eventually landed at NCAA Division I Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Initially, at Brewster and Bradley, school did not come easily to Dunson. Overcoming diagnosed learning challenges, his noteworthy perseverance in the classroom paid off as he earned a spot on the Bradley Athletic Director's Honor Roll during his first semester—and then each consecutive semester thereafter. Also a tremendous contributor on the basketball court, in Dunson’s final year at Bradley in 2011, he was honored as the Prairie Farms/MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week (February 16, 2011), MVC Scholar Athlete First Team, I-AAA Athletic Director’s Association Scholar Athlete Team, an NCAS Courageous Student Athlete Award Finalist, and a Lowe’s Senior CLASS All-American (an award recognizing the complete Division I student-athlete in areas of community, classroom, character, and competition).
Dunson continued to pursue a professional career in basketball as a coach, known for being a tremendous servant leader and player developer. He founded the Dodie Dunson II Foundation, committed to providing resources that make an impact on people's lives by positive actions. After 14 years of collegiate coaching experience, he accepted the women’s basketball head coach position at NCAA Division II Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. Said best by a former colleague, “Lewis women’s basketball is not only gaining a great coach, but an even better human being in Dodie Dunson.”
