It wasn’t a timeout called by either team or a foul to allow for substitutions.
Instead, both players and spectators found themselves giving a standing ovation to senior guard and captain Will Dawkins, who scored his 1,500th point as a Lion.,The Emerson men’s basketball game against the Daniel Webster Eagles took a brief pause Tuesday night.
It wasn’t a timeout called by either team or a foul to allow for substitutions.
Instead, both players and spectators found themselves giving a standing ovation to senior guard and captain Will Dawkins, who scored his 1,500th point as a Lion.
“It’s great for the whole program that he got to that level,” said head coach Hank Smith. “It’s a very big milestone to reach.”
Dawkins, who scored 18 points in the 91-61 defeat of Daniel Webster, reached the 1,500-point mark with 5:38 left in the first half after an Eagles turnover. The announcement was made following his layup, and the crowd in the Piano Row gymnasium stood to applaud his impressive career with the Lions. After the game, Dawkins attributed his success to Emerson’s athletics program.
“It just shows that I’ve had great teammates who have helped me along the way, and a great coach to teach me about the game,” said Dawkins, a broadcast journalism major.
Sophomore center Bryan Rouse, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury for the past month, said Dawkins is a team player who deserves to be recognized.
“It’s huge for him, and he’s such a great guy,” the marketing communication major said. “I love playing with him, we all love playing with him because he does it all. For him to get to this point and to do everything else he does for this team is amazing.”
A Springfield, Mass. native, Dawkins had the opportunity to play basketball at larger and more well-known programs than Emerson’s, but said he chose to play for the Lions because of the school’s academic reputation and team values.
“When I came to Emerson for my visit, Coach [Smith] told me about the family atmosphere here, and since I’m into broadcast journalism and everything it was a good choice,” Dawkins said. “The connection this school has to the industry is amazing.”
Dawkins said he enjoys being a short drive away from Springfield so his family is able to see him play often.
“It’s all about my family, and I’m glad they get to come watch me,” Dawkins said. “I like that I stayed close to home.”
Dawkins’ point total may reflect his remarkable displays of skill, but Emerson Athletic Director Kristin Parnell said Dawkins is also an asset to the athletic department when he isn’t shooting hoops.
“He volunteers at all the women’s basketball games and was president of the Student-Athletic Advisory Committee last year,” Parnell said. “He continually gives back to other student athletes.”
Dawkins admits much has changed in four years and 1,500 points, but most importantly, he said he has learned how to evolve on the court.
“Coach teaches us to grow up and be better basketball players,” Dawkins said. “In these past four years, I’ve learned a lot, but especially how to be a much smarter player of the game.”