2015-16 Coach Ken Phillips Memorial Scholarship Recipient #30 Dawson Mitchell, South Paulding High School Sponsor for the 2015-16 Scholarship is Former Player Mr. James Kelly, Owner Kelly Landscapes Management of Dallas, Georgia

South Paulding High School’s Dawson Mitchell received the Coach Ken Phillips Memorial Scholarship for 2015-16. Congratulations Dawson! You had an awesome high school career, and now we celebrate your first college football season at Reinhardt University with a record of 13-1. #3 ranked Reinhardt University lost in the NAIA semi-finals to St. Francis by a score of 42-24. Mitchell’s position was linebacker for the Eagles.
Beginning in 2006, the football coaches or athletic directors from each high school submit a letter of recommendation for a football player for the Coach Ken Phillips Memorial Scholarship. Coach Phillips was a person who struggled academically and never planned on pursuing a college degree. His principal, teachers, and coaches recognized his tremendous athletic talent and amazing social skills. They pushed him academically to reach beyond what he thought was possible so that he could play college football. Coach Phillips used that opportunity to obtain a college degree and began his teaching and coaching career. He made a huge impact on the lives of many, many people not only in the schools but in the community as well.
“Big Daddy” as his players lovingly referred to him, was head coach for a record 90 games at PCHS and led the program to its first winning season in 1980. Coach Phillips was a man of great heart, humor, wisdom and compassion who just happened to be a pretty good football coach.
When looking at candidates for the Coach Ken Phillips Memorial Scholarship, our committee looks for the following characteristics:

1. Limited scholarship funds
2. Impeccable character
3. Good work ethic
4. Over-achiever
5. Senior football player
6. College bound

The following is an excerpt from South Paulding High’s Head Football Coach Ed Koester:
“It is with great pleasure I recommend Dawson Mitchell for the Kenneth Phillips Scholarship. Dawson is the epitome of the over achiever, a tremendous example of making the most with the cards dealt. Dawson was a 3 year player, 2 year starter on our football team helping us win 27 games over the last 3 years. As a slightly undersized linebacker Dawson was All-Region, Team Defensive MVP, and holds the school record for most tackles. Dawson’s leadership abilities showed time and time again as our program utilizes voluntary morning, and summer workouts to build selfless team players. He has proven time and time again that leaders are big brothers to the young and stern team mates to others not just friends. Dawson was chosen as Team Captain and has served the youth of SPHS community as a leader with a Spartan Brothers program helping guide elementary age students to develop better habits. This award although a big financial help with college expenses is special to the Mitchell family as both mom and dad graduated from Paulding County High School and his Dad Tim Mitchell played for Coach Phillips. If given the opportunity Dawson would be my choice to lead, develop, and demonstrate the best of what Paulding County has to offer. I urge you to strongly consider Dawson as he is of the highest character demonstrated time and again, possessing and demonstrating tremendous work ethic, and has consistently achieved when others believed him to fail. Dawson Mitchell if chosen, will honor and be proud to be the Kenneth Phillips Memorial Scholarship recipient.”
Since awarding this scholarship, Mitchell is the third recipient whose Dad played under Coach Phillips at Paulding County High School. Congratulations Dawson and continue to make us PROUD at Reinhardt University.

Back Row: Dawson’s dad Tim Mitchell and James Kelly owner of Kelly Landscapes Management Middle Row: Annelle Phillips, Kenelle Phillips Gresham, Dawson’s mom Joy Mitchell and Miles Kelly Front Row: Kent Gresham and Kenzie Jay Gresham

Freshman Linebacker #48 Dawson Mitchell, Reinhardt UniversityCongratulations Dawson! Sorry you could not be with us for this picture but your parents represented you well!