Hall of Fame
A two-sport athlete, quarterback Al Dodds became the first Tiger football player inducted into Towson’s Hall of Fame while his success in track led him to a national ranking in the decathlon.
After graduating from Springbrook High School where he earned letters in football, basketball and track, Al attended Montgomery Junior College for two years. He started at quarterback and competed on its track squad. He was recruited by Towson track coach Jack McDonald who in turn introduced Al to Tiger football coach Carl Runk.
During his two-year career at Towson Al threw for 2,529 and 28 touchdowns. He also rushed for 471 yards and nine TD’s in helping the Tigers to a 10-4-1 record in their first two seasons of varsity football. He assumed the punting duties for Towson as well, averaging 38.4 yards per punt. In the spring Al used his many talents to become one of the top decathletes in NCAA Division III. He finished 10th in the decathlon both his junior and senior years at the Division III national championships. Al was recognized as Towson’s Athlete of the Year in 1969 and its Senior Athlete of the Year in 1970.
Following his intercollegiate career, Al played six years for the Carroll County Chargers of the Interstate Football League as a quarterback and punter while teaching physical education at Hammond Middle School in Laurel. In the fall, 1977, Centennial High School opened its doors for the first time in Ellicott City. Al joined its faculty and would remain at the school for 37 years until his retirement in 2014, terminating a 43-year career in education.
Before arriving at Centennial Al coached track at Montgomery Junior College for three years where he mentored a high jumper, Roger Erricker, who would later coach Towson University’s cross country and track programs for three decades.
One of Al’s early assignments at Centennial put him on the mats as wrestling coach. Despite never having wrestled, he directed the program for four years, actually winning a MPSSAA state title in 1981. From the start he served as Centennial’s track coach, adding cross country to his duties in 1989. In 1997 Centennial finished second in the boys state indoor track championships. Centennial won three state cross country championships under Al’s guidance, two on the boys’ side and one girls’ title.
