Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Dawson Johnson

Senior Dawson Johnson has quite the family legacy to live up to in the game of soccer. His grandfather, Hudson Fortune, was a member of the Brazilian national team, as was his aunt, Leah Fortune. Fortunately, having so much support has helped Dawson become the leader and player he is today, which is why he is this week’s Oswego East student athlete of the week.

Hudson Fortune has done all he can to further the game of soccer. He starred at the University of Indiana in the 1970’s, played indoor and outdoor professionally, and played nationally for Brazil, perennially one of the best soccer programs in the world. Hudson started Team Chicago, a premier youth soccer league that operates out of the suburbs of Chicago. His daughter, and Dawson’s aunt, Leah Fortune, starred on Brazilian’s national team, and held the nation in awe as she brought her unusual “flip-throw,” that was a regular highlight on Brazil’s Sportscenter.

With so much rich family history, Dawson was inundated with the sport as a child. Beginning at age 8, Dawson began playing for his grandfather’s team, Team Chicago. As a member of both Team Chicago and Oswego East, Dawson plays soccer 12 months a year, turning to indoor during the cold winter months. Although one could argue so much of one sport could lead to a young person becoming unhappy, Dawson is the opposite, saying, “I just love the sport so much.”

During his first year at East, Dawson was moved up to the varsity team midway through his freshman year. Head coach Steve Szymanski recognized early in his career that Dawson had the talent to compete at the top level, and the past three years he has grown into his role as captain. “[Dawson] went from being a timid quiet player to a player who everyone looks up to,” says Szymanski.

His mother, Ilza Johnson, is proud of how Dawson’s experiences of East have helped him mature as a person. “We couldn’t be more proud of how he came out of his shell and become such a respectful leader and person,” says Ilza.

Dawson has been a four year member of Oswego East’s AVID program, designed to help students maximize their potential by teaching study strategies, life skills, and eventually college applications and scholarships. His mentor, Brian Schaeffer, understands just how far Dawson has come in four years. “AVID has helped to bring Dawson out of his shell,” says Schaeffer. He goes on to add, “[Dawson] is much more open to constructive feedback, he advocates for himself, he is self-motivated in all that he does, and he is extremely determined to do well in high school and go on and be successful in college.”

Dawson’s leadership and selfless attitude is no better exemplified than what he does for his team. Understanding his team needed him more as a defender than an offensive threat, Dawson embraced a different role for the good of the team. “Dawson does anything you ask him, and does it to the best of his ability,” says Szymanski. He goes on to add, “He has been asked this season to play a new position of center back, and he never questioned it, he just went out and dominated.”

Over the past two seasons, Dawson and the Wolves have earned a conference record of 8-1 each year, the best two year stretch in soccer history. For his career, Dawson has 7 goals, 11 assists, and 25 points. No better statistic sums up Dawson’s ability and selfless attitude than his 5 saves this season, a staggering number for a player who does not play goalie and cannot use his hands.

His hard work on the field and inside the classroom has earned Dawson a scholarship to Warner College in Florida. For this season, Dawson still has unfinished business, as he wants East to, “be the first in school history to win a regional championship.” As he reflects on his journey from freshman year to senior year, he advises future Wolves’ to, “try your best in everything you do, and have fun because it flies by really quick.” Dawson and his teammates are hoping their season will not end too quickly, and they can cement their legacy as the first regional champs in school history.