Chatham University Athletics

Phil Dodson eagerly accepted the challenge of implementing the Cougars' first recruiting class, "It is a very exciting time to be a part of all the changes happening at Chatham University. My overall goal is to field a competitive, full roster of student-athletes and quickly compete for an ORLC championship. I want to gain a bid to the national tournament and spread the reach of Chatham University through all recruiting areas of the United States and Canada."

In 2019 the Cougars finished with their first ever winning record (9-7), finished fourth place in the PAC, and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament. As a team finished top 25 in DIII in four statistical categories (Ground Balls Per Game 6th, Assists Per Game 11th, Points Per Game 19th, and Man Down Defense 21st). Cougars also had nine players named to the All-PAC team, including three first team.

Dodson’s first season saw the successful foundation of the men’s lacrosse program. While the 7-8 record did not reflect the accomplishments of the team, seven players were named to the All-Conference team, including Newcomer of the Year, the Cougars posted a 4-1 out of conference record and ended ranked second in DIII in Man-Down Efficiency (87.7%) and fifth in Face-Off Percentage (69.6%).
 
Dodson comes to Chatham after spending the three seasons as an Assistant Coach for the Men's Lacrosse team at Aurora University in Illinois. Dodson joined the Spartan lacrosse staff for the 2014 season and served as the defensive coordinator for the program. During his time at Aurora, Dodson helped lead the team to three Midwest Lacrosse Conference championships and three sweet sixteen appearances in the NCAA tournament. In the 2015 season, Dodson oversaw nine defensive players named MLC All-Conference including the Defensive Player of the Year. In the 2014 season, Dodson as the defensive coordinator led the Spartans to national rankings in goals against average and scoring defense.
 
Prior to his time at Aurora University, Dodson spent one season at Carthage College as the defensive coordinator. While at Carthage he helped lead the team to a 15-4 record which was their best in school history, and would finish second in the conference tournament.
 
Before joining the Carthage staff, Dodson spent three seasons as head coach at the University of Illinois where he compiled a record of 37-13. During his time at the University of Illinois, Dodson would produce 21 all conference players including 7 MCLA All-Americans and 5 MCLA Scholar Athletes, and his team would qualify for the national tournament two out of three seasons.
 
As a four year starter and two year captain at the University of Illinois, Dodson was named MCLA All-American in 2008 and 2009 as a defensemen. In 2009, he would also be awarded the MCLA Scholar Athlete Award. Dodson would graduate from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in classics.

The Dodson File