ICE HOCKEY COACHES

Head Coach: Brian Dickinson

Since the 1996-97 season the leader of The College at Brockport Hockey has been Brian Dickinson. Since that time Dickinson has developed the team into a consistent contender for a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament berth and has established a reputation of putting a well-prepared team on the ice for every game.

The veteran head coach came to Brockport after three seasons as the head coach of Buffalo State and five seasons as the lead assistant to Jeff Meredith at SUNY Fredonia.

The 2007-08 campaign saw the Golden Eagles finish with a 7-15-3 overall record, which included 10 losses by two goals or less. The team was senior heavy led by Chris Koras, who was named to the All-SUNYAC team as a second-team selection and also earned the 2008 Paul B. Hanks, Sr. and Paul B. Hanks, Jr. Award and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence for the being the All-Conference player that has the highest grade point average in the Conference. Steve Seedhouse was recognized by the SUNYAC coaches as the Best Defensive Forward in the Conference, as he led Brockport with 15 goals on the season. He was also voted the Brockport Outstanding Male Scholar-Athlete for the 2007-08 year.

In 2006-07, Dickinson returned from a one-year leave of absence from his coaching duties to lead the Golden Eagles to the SUNYAC Tournament after posting seven wins and seven ties during the regular season. For his efforts, Dickinson received the conference’s Coach of the Year Award, marking the second time in his career he has received this honor.

Dickinson was named the ice hockey coach and ice arena manager at SUNY Brockport in May 1996. He became the College's first full-time ice hockey coach since Bill Greer left Brockport to take over the Hobart College program after the 1983-84 season. Dickinson replaced Rick Ross, who coached for seven seasons as Brockport's part-time head coach.

Dickinson immediately made his impact on the program with his recruiting and coaching skills.

At the end of his first season at the helm, Brockport was ranked in the NCAA top 30 in scoring offense (109 goals, 4.04 goals per game). The Golden Eagles also were ranked in the top 20 in power play percentage (31 goals on 133 attempts, .233 percentage). Dickinson guided Brockport that season to an 8-17-1 overall record and 4-9-1 SUNYAC mark. After the season, Dickinson earned his first SUNYAC Coach of the Year hardware.

In 1997-98, the Golden Eagles won 11 games, the most in the program in 10 years, and nearly knocked SUNYAC mainstay Potsdam out of the playoffs. Included in those 11 wins: a 1-0 thriller at Geneseo, a 5-2 shocker over Division II Mercyhurst, and a 7-3 victory over Division I Canisius.

A 1988 graduate of North Adams State (now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts), Dickinson was Buffalo State's first varsity hockey coach and guided a developing program to 19 wins over his three seasons with the Bengals. Prior to his stint in Buffalo, he helped mold SUNY Fredonia into a national championship caliber team. In his five years as an assistant with the Blue Devils, Dickinson was the main recruiter for the program and brought in several of the players responsible for leading Fredonia to the national championship game at the conclusion of the 1994-95 season. Dickinson was also an assistant at North Adams State for the 1987-88 season.

Dickinson has worked numerous hockey camps and clinics, including the Buffalo Sabres Hockey School (1988-93), Rick Gotkin's Hockey School (Mercyhurst), the Philadelphia USA Hockey School (since 1993), the Hamilton Hockey School (since 1988), and the Can-Am Hockey Camp (since 1992). Dickinson was a four-year goalie for North Adams State as an undergraduate, seeing significant action as a sophomore and senior. In 47 career games, he had a 20-15-0 record, a 4.46 goals against average, and an .865 save percentage. He saw action in one game against Brockport in his career, playing the final 20 minutes in a 13-1 victory over the Golden Eagles on Nov. 22, 1985. He had nine saves and did not allow a goal.

In addition to coaching the varsity hockey team, Dickinson oversees the day-to-day operations of the Tuttle North Ice Arena, including the supervision of a staff of approximately 25 student workers. The rink operates on-ice from early September to late March.

Dickinson and his wife, Shelly, have two daughters, Halee and Kasey.

Assistant Coach: Mark Digby

Education: Bachelors degree in Physical Education, concentration in Sport Management from The College at Brockport in 2005. Is currently Pursuing Masters Degree in Recreation and Leisure Services Management.

As a player: A four-year letterman for the Golden Eagles. Scored 41 goals and recorded 43 assists for 84 points in 96 career games. Served as team captain his junior (03-04) and senior seasons (04-05) while registering a team-high 19 goals and 12 assists. Led the team in goal scoring his Junior and Senior seasons. Selected to SUNYAC All-Conference Team in 2004-05 and named SUNYAC Player of the Week three times throughout that season. Played at G. Ray Bodley High School and was named to the All-League and All-State teams. Also played Junior A hockey in the Ontario Provincial Hockey League for the Syracuse Jr. Crunch.

As a coach: Entering his third season as an assistant coach with the College at Brockport in 2008-09. His main duties include recruiting, on and off ice practice planning, as well as strength and conditioning. Has coached at the Hamilton College Hockey Camp for one year, and also coached with the Maksymum Hockey Training Facility in Rochester, NY for two years. Prior to his time with The College at Brockport, Digby served as an assistant hockey and football coach with Brockport High School.

Notes: Also serves as the Coordinator of Advertising for The College at Brockport Department of Athletics.