NAIA-SIDA Spotlight - Paul Dodson, Johnson & Wales (Fla.)
Paul Dodson, a 21-year veteran to the field, is currently the Sports Information Director of the Wildcats at Johnson & Wales University (Fla.). The Wildcats field 11 varsity sports in North Miami as part of The Sun Conference. Dodson took the reigns at Johnson & Wales (Fla.) in 2018, later named the conference’s SID of the Year for his first season of work with the program and within The Sun Conference.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: I’m originally from Reading, Pennsylvania. I attend the University of Miami, where I got my start in this profession as a student assistant. I’ve worked at the University of Kansas, the University of South Florida, Delaware State, and FIU, as well as in professional soccer (MLS – Tampa Bay Mutiny & the Women’s United Soccer Association), before coming to JWU. I’m a bit “old school” in my approach to working in this profession and a huge stat nerd.
Favorite Hobby: Analyzing Literature (Reading) and Working Out
Favorite Professional Sports Team: Chicago Bears (Da’ Bears!)
Favorite Color: Purple – the color royalty
Favorite Vacation Destination: The Florida Keys
Favorite Style of Music: Alternative Rock (90s – which I guess in now classic rock… gosh I’m old!)
Favorite Athlete of All Time: Walter Payton
Favorite Author: Chuck Palahniuk
Favorite Quote: “There is no try, only do” - Yoda
Favorite Memory as an SID: Boy, there’s been a lot. But, what sticks out to me was back in in 2011. While at FIU, I worked with Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas and during that summer, the NBA players were locked out by the team owners. During that time, a number of “All-Star” games popped up at different venues around the nation, including FIU. We worked with many of the top players in the Association, including LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, list goes on and on. The contest, dubbed the South Florida All-Star Classic, was just that. A 141-140 overtime thriller saw Team DWade, coached by comedian Kevin Hart, beat Team LeBron, led by Heat forward Udonis Haslem. Proceed from the event went to Mary’s Court Foundation; a foundation established in honor of Isiah Thomas’ mother, the late Mary Thomas as well as the First Generation Scholarship Fund.
