ANNAPOLIS, Md. — After leading one of the premier squash programs in the country for nearly two decades, Navy head coach Craig Dawson has announced his resignation. Dawson, who leaves his post as the winningest coach in school history, amassed a 365-154 (.703) in 18 seasons.

"Our collective appreciation to a man who has left a magnificent legacy of success in every endeavor at Navy," said Navy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. "Craig is the epitome of an icon as a midshipman, athlete, officer in the fleet, educator, role model and coach. His tenure will be the benchmark for future success. Our appreciation to both he and his lovely wife Mary for many wonderful memories within the Navy family."

The Navy squash program flourished under Dawson's direction, who took over the reigns at his alma mater in March of 2000. In fact, Navy won at least 15 matches in each of Dawson's 18 seasons as head coach. Additionally, the Navy squash program has enjoyed just 11 20-win seasons over the course of its 70-year history with Dawson-led teams conquering the 20-win plateau nine times, including seven of the last 10 seasons. Navy broke the school record for wins in 2008-09 by turning in a 27-8 record. In 2009-10, the Mids followed up with a 26-8 mark, in 2010-11 they posted a 23-10 record, in 2011-12 they recorded a 23-7 record and in 2012-13 Navy produced a 25-9 record. While the Mids posted a 20-6 mark in 2016-17, the six losses are the fewest by Navy since the 1992-93 campaign when it posted a 16-6 record.

The following are several personal and program achievements that were achieved under Dawson's leadership.
• In 2014-15, team captain Andrew McGuinness was named one of three finalists for the College Squash Association's Skillman Award. The award is presented annually to the senior men's squash player who has demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship during his entire collegiate career.
• Bill Kacergis ('16) and Senen Ubina ('19) paired up to win the 2015 U.S. Intercollegiate Doubles Championship, the program's first doubles national championship title. A year later, Randy Beck ('17) and Jack Herold ('18) teamed to up win their first U.S. Intercollegiate Doubles title. Last year, Herold and Ubina combined to win their second national doubles title and first as a pair.
• In the fall of 2015, Senen Ubina ('19) became just the fourth freshman in the history of the Barb Tournament to win the trophy. He is the third player under Dawson's watch to achieve the feat, joining Tucker George ('08) and Andrew McGuinness ('15).
• Navy earned a 6-3 win over Williams in 2014-15, the program's first over the Ephs since 1993. It was also the Mids' first win over Williams in Annapolis since 1968.
• The Mids also posted a 5-4 win over Princeton in 2014-15, marking Navy's first victory over the Tigers since 1985.
• On Nov. 15, 2014, Dawson won his 300th career match as Navy posted a 9-0 win over Hobart.
• On Dec. 1, 2012, Dawson became the program's all-time winningest coach after his Mids put together three wins on the afternoon including an 8-1 win over Tufts to give him the record.
• In 2010-11, Allan Lutz became the program's all-time wins leader with a 99-36 record.
• Andrew McGuinness ('15) and Jim Kacergis ('15) became the first freshman tandem to meet in the finals of the Barb Tournament in the competition's history which was established in 1958.
• 2009-10 team captain Nils Mattsson left his mark on the program by earning All-America honors in his senior campaign and finishing with a No. 22 national ranking.
• 2008 graduate Tucker George, the program's only four-time winner of the Barb Trophy, was selected as Navy's first All-American since Jamie Slough in 1994.
• In 2008, Navy also played host to the College Squash Association Men's and Women's Individual Championship. With the help of the Naval Academy administration, better than 2,300 Midshipmen and fans packed Halsey Field House to set a tournament record and cheer on Tucker George.
• Dawson led Mids to a third-place finish at the 2008 Women's College Squash Association Howe Cup Championship. One of six emerging women's teams, it was the first time Navy sent a women's team to compete in the championship.
• In 2006-07, the Mids put together back-to-back wins over Brown and Bates before dropping a 5-4 heart-breaker against Cornell to finish 10th at the College Squash Association's Team Championship, the Mids' best finish under Dawson's leadership.
• Dawson led Navy to a 24-7 record in 2004-05, establishing a school record for wins in a season.
• In 2003-14, exchange student Kinleong Ho was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship by his home country of Singapore.


### Go Navy ###