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Show )Go online to f dixiesunlink.com to rea, (Jwhat the softball team expects for next week and a baseball slide-show. j t Dawes brings life lessons to Dawes said sitting out his senior year was tough, but it was a life lesson that needed to be His mom and dad were both very supportive and they were always there to back him up, Lauren said. After trips to various schools he decided to BY SHELBY MISRASI Sports Editor Most students at Dixie State College know of the athletes who represent Dixie State, but what they dont know is how much talent their own staff members have. Derek Dawes, Dixies adjunct and community engagement coordinator, grew up loving the sports basketball and baseball, but once he attended Cottonwood High School he decided to focus on his passion basketball. As a freshman, Dawes was 6 feet 7 inches tall and was on the varsity basketball team. As a kid he had dreams of going far with the game, so he worked every day in games and practice to be successful. By his sophomore year he started varsity and played the rest of his high school career. Once his senior year rolled around he was recruited by more than learned. It really changed my life, Dawes said. It is one of those things I wouldnt change. Dawes said the injury helped him be a better teammate, student, friend and husband because basketball became his identity and once he got hurt that wasnt who he was anymore. The injury helped Dawes face reality and taught him what it meant to find who he was. Dawes then understood that basketball wasnt who he was and focused more on school, being a good friend and husband, and supporting his team in practice and attend Brigham Young University and start his college basketball career. I loved it there, Dawes said. It was an amazing experience. Dawes said the BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe helped him decide what career path to choose. Holmoe would often talk to the players and tell them his experiences as an athlete and athletic director. Dawes was inspired and asked Holmoe to help him get started. He said if he talked to Holmoe, even if it was through email or text, hed always take time out of his busy schedule to help him. That really meant a lot to me, Dawes said. Dawes also said he made lifelong friendships with his teammates who he still keeps in touch with. After his first year of playing at BYU, he was called to serve a Latter-Da- y Saint mission to New Hampshire where he also made lasting relationships and hopes to visit a second time. The people there are tough to warm up to you, but once they do theyre friends for life, Dawes said. Dawes went back to BYU after his two-yemission and used his red shirt year because of a broken foot. After his foot was healed he played his sophomore year and injured his shoulder, but he didnt let that stop him from playing. After many practices and games, his senior year creeped up on him, and he blew out his shoulder in the game against University of Nevada Las Vegas. ( 20 colleges. Dawes wife Lauren said he worked hard in achieving his basketball goals. He was very dedicated and hard working, Lauren said. He was a really good leader from my point of view. Dawes said his family had a lot of positive influence on the choice he made to play basketball in college. His uncle affected his choice to play basketball because he was a coach at Bennion Junior High School, and he would let Dawes attend the basketball camps all throughout junior high. My family sacrificed a lot to give me those opportunities, Dawes said. The way to pay them back is to do my best in every thing I do. Lauren said his parents completely supported him when he decided to play ball. games. In order to be a leader you have to know how to be a follower, Dawes said. Lauren said the injury was tough on Dawes but it had pros to it as well. It was hard because he wasnt able to do what he loved anymore, but it was a really good growing and learning experience because you dont plan on that and he learned a lot about himself, Lauren said. It was a DSC suffered 3 must have paid attention, because three was definitely its number this season. The Red Storm finished 2 the campaign 20-with a 7 overall record, marking the third consecutive season they The television show School House Rock once taught children that three is a magic number. The Dixie State College mens basketball team Derek Dawes, Dixie State College adjunct and community engagement coordinator, played college basketball at Brigham Young University. Dawes was highlighted for his many talents and learned life lessons. humbling experience for both of us, and he was able to figure out another way to be successful. Lauren said there were specific characteristics Dawes took from basketball and applied them to his personal life. He used his leadership, being a part of a team and teamwork because you have to be able to communicate with teammates and coaches, Lauren said. So he does that with me and others. Hes really good with communicating. By this time Dawes was married to Lauren, whom he met in his American History class ar BY KERIC SEEGMILLER Staff Writer at BYU. He has always been the most genuine and kind person Ive ever known, Lauren said. Hes an awesome leader outside the home and inside the home. Hes really whitty and fun and thats what attracted me to him in the beginning. After they both graduated in 2008 they went to Gonzaga University where Dawes sought his masters degree in sport and athletic administration. The people up there are great, Dawes said. It was really hard to have to leave. 20-w- in 15-- er $0 Y t r ' v. A-- . i V i J U Vf- 3 v.m ' TV4 - - h 7? V"' ( ' J i V. mv 4 '! v f j to-ba- ck 4 V, -- hr "Y u conference outright. We won the conference outright, said senior forward Solomon Jensen, a biology major from Centerville. We met a lot of our goals and anytime you do that its a good year. Unfortunately for the Red Storm, the plateau was just that a plateau. After clinching the PacWest championship on Feb. 22, and on the heels of a 13 game win streak, Dixie lost its final three games of the season. The first two losses repre- sented the first time in the season the team lost back-games. The Red Storm lost the two games by a combined three points. Despite losing its last two regular season games, Dixie still had a chance to redeem itself. The Red Storm moved on to Dar- 20-w- 3 S i- - - .LLL dul: Griffon Jones, a senior integrated studies major from Cheney Wash., reaches for the dunk in a game earlier this year. The Dixie State basket-oal- l team ended its season with an overall record of 20-- College mens 7, Dawes said at Gonzaga the programs gave him the experience he needed to pursue a career. The professors made sure the students got their feet wet and gave them the needed experience for the future. At Gonzaga, Dawes served as a graduate assistant in the sport and education department. He graduated in 2010 with his masters degree in sport and athletic administration, and he was awarded the 2010 Jeanne Foster Wardian Leadership award. Dawes came to DSC when he got accepted for his current job and said its great because k agrees with the plans the athletic department has The job opened up, and I got lucky, and I it, Dawes said. I like it a lot. Its a good place got to m1 with good people with. Dawes said he ap- proves of all the plans the Athletic Director Jason Boothe has for the Booster Club and knows it will give Dixie success Dawes hopes to stay at Dixie as long as he can while with his wife, son Trey, and his second son arriving in April. losses to end season have reached the plateau. The Storm also finished with a 3 record in the Pacific West Conference to capture a third consecutive PacWest championship, although this year marks the first time the team has won the 2011-201- 1 Dixie in ticipate in their third consecutive NCAA Division II tournament and drew Seattle Pacific University as their opponent. The first round game, a 8 thriller, again left Dixie on the losing end of a nail biter. The Red Storm overcame a first half deficit to lead at halftime but were unable to hold off the Falcons in the second half. And after seeing how significant the number three has been for the Red Storm this season, it seemed only fitting that the loss to the Falcons would come down to shooting. 5 with Trailing 10 seconds remaining, Dixie failed to convert on consecutive game-tyin- g and was forced to foul to stop the clock. It wasnt until after SPU made both free throws 70-6- 16-po- 68-6- and established a lead that senior Cole coguard Maurice five-poi- as nnected on a time expired. Judk"1' Head coach Jon season said although the 'aS he ended negatively sue still pleased with the cess the team achieved to kf always hard JudklS your last game, our said. I was telling Its don t "al1 guys (that) you last to remember your what ) game, remember did to get here because to theres only going e t oS one team that hasn its last game. As the Red StoimPie season tie pare for next will be forced to repl 0 a formidable group which'' seniors, all of starters. numb Ironically, the Is departing seniois guessed it three. 0 |