Dawson Field at the Dr. Margaret Downing Softball Complex

Dawson Field at the Dr. Margaret Downing Softball Complex
Capacity: 600
Field Dimensions: 195-215-195

On April 1, 2016, Southern Arkansas University and its athletic department officially dedicated the main playing field at the newly-constructed $1.3 million Mulerider Softball Complex as Dawson Field at the Mulerider Softball Complex with the name placement of "Dawson Field", adorning the top of the brand new nine-inning scoreboard in right-centerfield.

The naming of Dawson Field comes after members of the Dawson Family generously donated the lights at both fields within the complex in honor of their late father, Bill Dawson Sr., as well as their late sister, Melissa Dawson. The field dedication also represents completion of the $1.3 million Mulerider Softball Complex facility project.

"We are elated to have the main playing field at the new Mulerider Softball Complex bearing our family last name," remarked Bill (Billy) Dawson Jr. "Our family has a long history with SAU, its athletic department as well as the city of Magnolia and we are honored to give back to the campus and community that has helped shape all of our lives."

The connection between the Dawson Family, Southern Arkansas University and the town of Magnolia began with the late Bill Dawson Sr. as he spent part of his 33-year coaching/school administration career in Magnolia, while his sons Charlie and Bill Jr. (Billy) both played baseball and garnered NAIA All-America honors in their time at SAU.

On October 20, 2018, following SAU Football’s Homecoming win and preceding the handing out of championship rings to the Mulerider Softball team, alumni, Mulerider Softball fans, and former players and friends of Dr. Margaret Downing packed the stands at Dawson Field inside the Mulerider Softball Complex and watched as SAU administration revealed a sign donning the new name of the facility as Dawson Field at the Dr. Margaret Downing Softball Complex.

The dedication of the Mulerider Softball Complex in honor of Dr. Downing comes after funds were raised by the Margaret Downing Society, which also enabled the infield playing surface at Dawson Field to be reconstructed with artificial turf from GeoSurfaces.

Downing, a pioneer for the advancement of SAU women’s athletics, spent 18-plus years as a coach of the then-Riderettes in basketball, golf, softball, swimming, volleyball and track and field. In a coaching career that began in 1965, Downing captured six conference championships and two conference co-championships in women’s basketball in addition to a conference championship in volleyball in 1974.

In January of 2020, $60,000 upgrades were completed on the SAU Softball Hitting Facility. Covered bullpens, with room for three pitchers to throw at a time, were added to the north portion of the facility. The previous fall, through the generosity of Bodcaw Bank, the "Bodcaw Berm" was constructed behind the outfield fence to give fans a unique "out-of-the-park" perspective on gameday.

The most recent upgrades came in the fall of 2024 as state of the art artificial turf was installed by GeoSurfaces, a new ChampionWall was constructed in the outfield, a video board replaced the static scoreboard, and seating was upgraded by adding bleachers down both sides and 140 chair backs behind home plate.