A dedicated football, basketball and track athlete, bassoon player in the band program, and sports editor of the Patriot Press–Dawson Solly, a 2012 Liberty graduate, worked hard in both sports and academics, earning multiple Scholar Athlete Awards during his time here.
He tragically passed away in 2016 due to type 1 diabetes complications, and to honor his Liberty High School legacy, Solly will be honored and remembered with the creation of the Dawson Solly R.O.C.K. Award which will be awarded each year to a senior on the football team who, like him, responds rather than reacting, cares for others, invests in their community, and keeps on going during the difficult times.
Playing a combination of long snapper and linebacker, Solly has been described as “the ultimate team guy” by head coach Steve Valach.
“Dawson was a guy who did a really good job of embodying what it means to be a Liberty Patriot. Not super flashy, and just go about your business and work super hard,” history teacher Cameron Talley, who played alongside him said. “There was never a question of whether or not he was going to give it his all.”
Although he was never the star on the team, Solly worked hard to support the players around him to be the best that they could.
“He was a big part of the glue of the football team when he was here,” Valach said. “He was both consistent and steady, and didn’t let type 1 diabetes slow him down, continuing to make a tremendous impact on those around him in college after graduating from here.”
After graduating from Liberty, Solly attended Carroll College in Helena, MT where he made history as the college’s first ever hammer thrower on the track and field team. In addition to excelling athletically, he was on the dean’s list and received an honorary Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering as he was a few months from graduating when he passed.
His Liberty coaches and former teammates recall that he wasn’t a particularly vocal leader, but he led by example. He is remembered as someone who, off the field, loved to make those around him laugh, tell jokes, and spend time outdoors.
“This award name change is cool, because Dawson was exactly the kind of guy you want your players to be,” math teacher Andy Hall, who coached Solly, said. “This isn’t about honoring talent, but about honoring character, and as far as character goes, he is right up there with the best.” Solly embodied what it means to be a Liberty Patriot, and this scholarship award which will be given out yearly seeks to honor character and leadership.
“My hope is that this scholarship will still be named in Dawson’s honor and recognize guy’s who are rocks for their team here at Liberty long after I’m gone,” Valach said.
