Center Court with Keith Dickson
By Bob Lindquist

The walls of Keith Dickson’s office are covered with plaques, news clips, citations and pictures chronicling his 20 years as coach of the Hawks men’s basketball program. He has amassed many awards—nine 20-win seasons, six Northeast-10 championships, 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, one NCAA regional championship and an Elite Eight appearance—yet most meaningful are the team photos, one for every team Dickson has led onto the Stoutenburgh hardwood. "They are the most important thing," he says. "I am just as proud of the type of people I’ve had in the program as I am of the number of games we’ve won or the championships we’ve won."

Dickson came to Saint Anselm College in the summer of 1985 because, he says, he was looking for a place to coach where he could be happy and successful. "Saint Anselm has provided all that and more," he says. "I found that the philosophy and beliefs here are the same as mine. It has been a perfect marriage."

When Dickson talks Saint Anselm basketball he talks about the program and the people. The program—Dickson’s philosophy—hasn’t changed in 20 years. The things that were important to him then, consistency and stability, hallmarks of Benedictine values, are still important today. "It has really made it very easy for me," he says.

It takes more than basketball talent to play for Keith Dickson. He looks for players with personal character and academic commitment, as well as a passion for the sport. He looks for team players who understand and believe in the mission of the college, and who care for and get along well with others.

"A lot of coaches don’t care what kind of kids they get," he says. "They’ll sell their soul for talent and then deal with the issues. I don’t want to do that. I love coaching, but I want to coach the right kind of kid."

The "right kind of kid" knows right from wrong, values education and is committed to earning a degree, and as a player is committed to individual improvement, strength training and conditioning, and to winning.

Dickson has earned a reputation for the strong work ethic of his teams, both in the classroom and on the court. He expects the same high level of commitment and preparation for games as he does for term papers and exams. To support the academic success of his players, Dickson requires attendance at study halls and closely monitors the academic progress of all his players. "What’s most important is they get a degree and they’re prepared for life after college."

Former player Pat Smith ’94 concurs. Now assistant principal and girls’ basketball coach at Trinity High School, in Manchester, he still refers to Dickson as "coach," and considers him a mentor. "After being challenged seven days a week," Smith notes, "I felt I could fit into any business situation or career."

"We usually don’t have the tallest team. We usually don’t have the quickest or most athletic team," Dickson adds, "but we really want to find kids who have a high basketball IQ, are skilled in basketball fundamentals, and are physically and mentally tough. If we find kids who fit those roles... and we work hard, we’re going to produce a winning team."

And for the past 20 years, Dickson’s teams have won—often. He started the 2005–06 season with 368 wins and 195 losses. He’s had only three losing seasons in his Saint Anselm career, and his winning percentage of .647 puts him among the top NCAA Division II coaches.