Dawn Mader, 2018 Sports Hall of Fame

Dawn has a favorite quote from legendary coach of Tennessee Women’s Basketball, Pat Summit. “Whatever it is that you desire to do in life, have the courage and the commitment to do it, and to do it to your absolute best.”

Dawn, a 1984 graduate of Triton Regional High School, was a 3 sport athlete. She excelled in softball.

Dawn was a 4 year varsity i:>layer and captain in 1983, 1984. She was both 1st Team All Conference and 1st Team All Group 3 i·n’· 1982, 1983, and 1984. She was named to the Gloucester County Times All South Jersey Team in 1982, 1983, and 1984. She was All South Jersey in 1982 with her sister Sandy.

They were the first sisters to make All South Jersey in the same year. She was named All South Jersey in 1983 and 1984, All State 3rd Team in 1982, 2″0 Team 1983, and 1st Team in 1984. In 1990, Dawn was named to the All Decade Team of the SO’s and in 2000 she was named to the All Century First Team. In 2011 she was inducted into the Triton Hall of Fame.

Dawn went on to play 1 year at Trenton State College where they finished runner up in the Division 3 National Championship in 1985.
Upon returning home from college, Dawn continued playing in the Women’s Fastpich League of SJ and the Delaware Valley Women’s Fastpitch League where she earned MVP 2 times.

Currently, she is the Head Softball Coach at Paul VI High School where she has compiled a 135-82-2 record. Dawn was named Courier Post Coach of the Year in 2015. She first coached at Paul VI from 1999-2002. ‘in 2002 they won the Olympic Conference. She returned to coach in 2013 after her sons graduated High School. They won the Olympic Conference in 2014 and 2015. Dawn took the Eagles to the South Jersey Final in 2013 and 2015.

In 2004, Dawn started an ASA Organization, the South Jersey Gators. She has coached 10U-18U. In 14 years they have won 83 out of 114 tournaments. Due to the NJSIAA rules, Dawn had to give up coaching the Gators due to her youngest niece Jordan attending Paul VI as a freshman this year.

Dawn is now coaching her great nieces at SU machine pitch, the Rail Dogs out of Sewell. She has also coached in the Bellmawr Street Hockey Association

For 19 years enjoying coaching both her sons, Boomer and Zach, and where she won a National Championship coaching with her father, John. She also coached her sons in Bellmawr Baseball winning minor and major league championships. She also volunteered to coach basketball at Good Shepherd School in Collingswood for 2 years. Dawn also coached Deptford Girls Softball to 3 SJGSA Championships.

For the past 18 years, Dawn has enjoyed a career as a hitting instructor. With her lifetime passion for softball, she is highly respected throughout South Jersey.

Dawn believes in giving back to the community. Both her Paul VI and Gator teams have worked with the Police, made Easter baskets for homeless children, and collected socks for Happy Feet for the Homeless. They also collect clothing items and toys for Friends of Fairview organization.

Today Dawn works for the Deptford Twp. Board of Education as a transportation secretary. She shares most of her time and talents with her family, friends, and players. She most enjoys coaching with her sons Boomer and Zach and nieces Hunter, Breck and Dallas.