Bill Dawson, a former Tucson High football star who anchored the Badgers’ “fearsome fivesome” line and went on to play at Michigan State, has died. He was 65.
Dawson died of cancer.
In 2013, the Star ranked Dawson as the fourth-best player in the history of Tucson High’s storied program, behind his brother, lineman Mike Dawson, and running backs Joe Petroshus and Joel Favara. Mike Dawson died in 2008.
Bill Dawson was an All-State offensive and defensive selection in 1965 and 1966 as the Badgers won back-to-back state championships. Dawson was named an All-American in 1966. He attended Michigan State on a wrestling scholarship, but eventually started on the football team. Injuries ended his career before he could make it to the NFL.
Dawson returned to Tucson after college, eventually serving as an assistant under the legendary Ollie Mayfield. Dawson was named the Badgers' head coach in 1977, succeeding Mayfield, and went 15-35-1 over five seasons.
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Services are pending.
