Acadia University today announced that it has hired seasoned coach and athletic administrator Kevin Dickie as its new Director of Athletics. Mr. Dickie has been the Director of Athletics at the University of New Brunswick for the past six years and is returning to Acadia where he coached the University’s men’s varsity hockey team to three successive appearances in the AUS finals between 1997 and 2000.

“Acadia is pleased to welcome Kevin Dickie back to campus and to a varsity athletics program that is gaining positive momentum,” said Darrell Youden, Acadia’s Vice-President of Finance and Administration. “The University of New Brunswick, under Kevin’s leadership, has established an enviable reputation for sustained student athlete success both on and off the field. Kevin has considerable experience both as a coach and administrator at all levels of competition that will serve him well at Acadia. He knows our conference well, understands the Canadian varsity sports environment and, most importantly, respects Acadia’s proud tradition of combining athletic and academic achievement.”

Mr. Dickie earned his Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan and holds a Level IV C.H.A./N.C.C.P. Coaching Certification Master Coach designation. In addition to his experience at UNB and Acadia, Mr. Dickie was Head Coach of the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League between 2000 and 2004. He was an Assistant Coach with Canada’s World Junior Team in 2000-2001 and with Canada’s Under 18 National Team in 2000.

“I’ll always appreciate the opportunity UNB gave me six years ago, but I’m really looking forward to taking my skills and experience to Acadia,” said Dickie. “The commitment Acadia’s senior leadership team has shown to make me a part of the Acadia family is a wonderful opportunity for me as well as Cindy and our two boys. We’re looking forward to coming to Acadia and back to the Valley. Acadia is headed in a very positive direction and it’s going to be exciting to be part of it.” 

Acadia Athletics has a tradition of excellence that includes 27 regional and 10 national championships during the past 30 years. Award-winning coaching and support staff work in an environment that emphasizes both academic and athletic success. Last year, 72 Acadia student athletes were named Academic All-Canadians by Canadian Interuniversity Sport, representing better than one out of every four of the University's 225 varsity athletes. Acadia's alumni are among the most dedicated and supportive in Canada, having helped Acadia complete a $1.7 million renovation of historic Raymond Field in 2008. This commitment to performance, both inside and outside the classroom, positions Acadia Athletics for an exciting and rewarding future.

About Acadia
Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada’s premier post-secondary institutions. With its nationally and internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate research initiatives, small classes and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers students an experience that includes academic achievement combined with personal growth and development. Acadia also offers distance learning, certificate programs, language training and other university extension programs through Open Acadia. For more information about Acadia University, visit our website at www.acadiau.ca.