Honoring the Head of Flagler Athletes Since 2009

(Jud Damon with Doug Floutie (right) at the Crminson and Gold Banquet on Nov 24th, 2025) Photo by Zach Thomas

October 6 , 2025 

By: Michael Alaimo

   Flagler College Athletic Director has been working as the Flagler Athlete Director since 2009, and before that, has worked as the Athletic Director of other schools since 1997. Prior to his career as an Athletic Director, He attended the University of Pennsylvania for his bachelors and the University of Massachusetts for his master's. 

 “It has changed dramatically since I got here,” said Jud Damon.

Damon explained how much the school has changed since he first arrived on campus in 2009. Since 2009, the Athletics department has captured 23 regular-season titles and 40 conference tournament championships. Additionally, 97 teams have qualified for NCAA Division II Tournaments, with seven claiming NCAA Division II Southeast Region titles. All of this was achieved under the leadership of Dawson. 

Dawson also expressed how things have changed here at Flager College, not just on the field but also off the field.

“All sports team here at Flagler participates in a community service event of their choice. We averaged about 3,000 hours of community service a year.”  Dawson said.   

Dawson always tries to make an effort to improve the local community here in Saint Augustine and Saint Johns County.

“Moments I've known I made a difference in someone’s life, that has made a difference for me,” said Dawson.  

Dawson explains how it's important to also recruit the right player not only for the sport and the team, but how they would be a good fit here. “We're not recruiting students here only for athletes, and that’s it; we like to make sure it's a good fit.” He has also explained his desire to push athletes academically. “Student athletes have a higher graduation rate than the student body,”.  

Dawson encouraged people to always pursue fully pursue their passions, and explained that,

“There are a lot of opportunities to be successful”. For people who want to pursue a career as an Athletic Director or someone in his field, he suggested they go spend as much time in sports as they can and to get to know all of the sports, whether it's being a coach, player or etc. And to also get a Bachelors degree and a masters degree in sports management.