The Student-Athlete Experience at Acadia University

Dickie started as athletic director at the University of New Brunswick in 2005, before returning to Acadia in 2011. Dickie had prior coached a very successful Axemen hockey team for three years beginning in 1997. He led the team to three consecutive AUS (Atlantic University Sport) hockey conference final appearances and to the CIS championship game in 1998. “Acadia’s National reputation drew me to Acadia originally, and the chance to coach one of the best hockey programs in Canada,” Kevin says. “What drew us back to Wolfville was the community and the leadership on Acadia’s campus.”

With big upgrades coming to the athletics complex this summer, Dickie said, “The upgrade in our facilities, thanks to the McCain Family, will do three things; help us be a national program as facilities are that important. It will also help us attract future partnerships to improve other areas of our facility, as well as enhance campus life for both our students and community.”

As the beginning of seasons for fall sports approach, Dickie shared his excitement for Acadia athletics as a whole this year. “I am honestly excited about all 10 teams for each of their own reasons. Recruiting has gone well across the board and we have many teams on the upswing.”

Axemen hockey is a program that draws massive community support, with an unwavering, diehard fan base. The 2013-2014 Axemen hockey team won an AUS championship banner last season, and is due for another great season in 2014-15. “Winning an AUS championship in hockey was invaluable,” says Dickie. “It’s so important to the community and a flagship program on campus. We have to continue to compete at this level in the AUS. Acadia athletics has had six AUS championships in the last three years, and hockey now being one of those was very important.”

A survey of all Acadia University athletes shows that student athletes are having an outstanding experience at Acadia. Dickie stressed the importance of the student-athlete experience, stating it’s the most important thing for him personally as athletic director, as well as for the entire department.

“What separates Acadia from every other school in Canada is our connection with the community and our high academic achievement. Every university can be successful in sport, but to combine the highest number of academic all-Canadians, significant community involvement and our fan support is what makes Acadia magical,” Dickie boasts.

Dickie lives in Wolfville with his wife Cindy, and two sons Riley and Brett. Riley attends Middlebury College in Vermont, while Brett will become one of the newest members of the Axemen basketball team this fall. You can contact Kevin Dickie at kevin.dickie@acadiau.ca. For constant updates surrounding the world of Acadia athletics, you can follow Dickie personally at @AcadiaAD, as well as @AcadiaAthletics on Twitter. Axemen pride has no equal.