Mississippi Senate honors legendary ASU Tennis Coach Tony Dodgen with posthumous resolution

Holding Senate Resolution 66, are Coach Dodgen’s widow Catherine, and his son, Cass Dodgen. Right of Catherine are Senator Briggs Hopson, Ashley Freeman, the coach’s daughter, and her daughter, Lucy Catherine Freemen, and Dr. Marcus Ward, senior vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of the ASU Foundation, Inc. From left to right, are Senator Gary Brumfield and Senator Sarita Simmons and Theresa Kennedy, a former player on the coach’s first championship team.

This story is special to the Alcorn Newsroom from the Mississippi Senate and Alcorn Sports.

Today, the Mississippi Senate presented Senate Resolution 66 to the widow and family of legendary former Alcorn State University Tennis Coach and Mathematics Instructor Anthony “Tony” Bruce Dodgen, who passed away on January 18, 2025.

Coach Dodgen spent 21 years as Alcorn’s head tennis coach for both men’s and women’s teams and was a 12-time SWAC Coach of the Year, the most of any coach in ASU history, and he won 12 SWAC Championships, the third most in school history among coaches.

While at the University, he mentored his teams to 18 SWAC Championship finals appearances. He retired from Alcorn in 2018.

Dodgen was a transformative figure in Alcorn State Athletics. Upon his arrival in 1996, he inherited a program with limited resources and rebuilt it into a powerhouse. Under his leadership, the Braves secured their first SWAC title in 1999, just three years into his tenure. This achievement began an era of excellence, with the men’s and women’s programs collectively winning eight and four SWAC titles, respectively.

A 16-time SWAC Tennis Coach of the Year, Dodgen revolutionized recruiting within the conference, bringing in talented players from across the globe, including Australia, South America, and Europe. His commitment to fostering a family-like atmosphere was central to his success, as he welcomed international student-athletes into his home and provided mentorship both on and off the court.

“Coach Dodgen’s contributions to Alcorn State Athletics were immeasurable,” said Director of Athletics E. D’Wayne Robinson. “His impact on the lives of his players, the university, and the SWAC is a legacy that will endure for generations.”

Before his time at Alcorn, Dodgen spent 17 years coaching at the high school level, where he led St. Aloysius High School to seven consecutive state championships and transformed tennis programs across Mississippi.

Dodgen earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree in mathematics education from Mississippi College.

Though he started playing tennis at age 22, he quickly became a skilled coach and lifelong advocate for the sport.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Catherine Hatch Dodgen; his children, Ashley Freeman and Cass Dodgen and his wife, Paige; and his beloved grandchildren, Lucy Catherine, Carr, Anna James, and Peyton Bee.