Hawkins grew up in mid-Hudson, New York where he attended Washingtonville High School. He was a three sport athlete at Washingtonville, starring on the school’s soccer, basketball and track teams. However, his talent lay with soccer and he was two-time All State, two-tme National Coaches All-American and two time Parade Magazine high school All American. His talent attracted the attention of pro scouts and when he graduated in 1980, the Washington Diplomats of the North American Soccer League (NASL) selected him in the second round of the draft.

Hawkins chose to delay his entry into professional sports and entered Hartwick College. During his four seasons with the Hawks, he went to the 1980 NCAA Final Four. When he graduated in 1984, he had amassed 30 career goals and 10 career assists. He was inducted into the Hartwick College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.

By the time Hawkins graduated, the NASL had folded, but the Pittsburgh Spirit of Major Indoor Soccer League selected him in the first round of the draft in the spring of 1984. Hawkins remained at school to complete his degree. During those months, the Spirit traded his rights to the Minnesota Strikers who then sent him to the Dallas Sidekicks. Hawkins decided not to sign with the Sidekicks and remained in Westchester County playing for the Mt. Vernon Corsairs in the New York City Super League league until he took a job as a computer programmer with IBM. He lives in the Chicago area and has recently launched ZenFooty Soccer Academy and the Zen United Club Soccer Programs. Ed's site is www.ZenFooty.com and his company offers private and group training sessions for all age levels.

Hawkins was called up to the U.S. national team in 1984. When he entered the field for a December 2, 1984 game with Ecuador, he became the first native U.S. black soccer player to earn a cap. That game, part of the Miami Cup, ended in a 2-2 tie and Hawkins was subbed out for Dave Cayemitte in the second half.