FORT PIERCE, Fla. (April 20, 2022) - Following the recent path of honoring legendary coaches, Indian River State College, on April 15, announced the College's campus softball field will henceforth be known as Dale Atkinson Field. The announcement took place in front of family, friends, Dr. Timothy Moore, President of Indian River State College, and members of the IRSC Athletic Department coaching staff.

Atkinson has served as head coach of the Indian River State College softball program for 24 seasons. He was hired by the late David "DOC" Anderson, Vice President of Student Affairs, as a part-time coach on September 18, 1998.  After only four seasons, Atkinson led the 2002 team to an NJCAA Division I National Championship.  On August 15, 2005, he was named a full-time employee of the College. His progression at Indian River also led to him being named as an Assistant Athletic Director.  During his tenure, like the students he has mentored, Atkinson has placed tremendous value in education. He earned his A.A. Degree in business administration from Indian River in 2004, his B.S. in social science from Florida Atlantic University in 2005 and his MEd in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University of Irvine in 2013.

Under Atkinson's leadership, more than 200 IRSC players have been named All-Southern Conference, 82 have been named FCSAA All-State and 27 have earned NJCAA All-America distinction. His teams won the FCSAA State Championship in 2002, 2004 and 2005. During his tenure, 18 Southern Conference Championships have been won and the softball program has a streak of 22 consecutive berths in FCSAA postseason play. 

Atkinson achieved his 1000th win as a head coach on February 28, 2020, and all of his career wins have been secured at a single institution, Indian River. 

Atkinson has been inducted into the Indian River State College Pioneer Sports Hall of Fame (2019), the FCSAA Softball Hall of Fame (2014) and the St. Lucie County Athletic Hall of Fame (2002). He was honored by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) as the Coach of the Year in 2002, and the Southern Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 2006. Additionally, he has been recognized as the NJCAA Region 8 Coach of the Year five times (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006) and named Southern Conference Coach of the Year 17 times.

Atkinson shared the moment with family and was quoted as saying, "This isn't about me, it is about the hundreds of kids I have been able to coach and hopefully make a positive difference in their lives."