Jaclyn Dickens
Jaclyn Dickens is entering her third year as Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Emory & Henry College. She is in her seventh year on staff with the Wasps, spending the 2018-19 season as associate head coach and the previous three years as assistant coach. A 1999 graduate of E&H, Dickens returned to her alma mater with nearly 15 years of coaching experience at both the college and high school levels. She also serves as an adjunct instructor in the Heath & Human Performance Department.
Last year, E&H posted a 6-8 overall record in the season shortened by COVID-19. The Wasps earned the #7 seed in the ODAC Tournament, advancing to the quarterfinals where they fell to eventual champion Lynchburg. Kylea Cooper and Alexis Hoppers were both named to the All-ODAC Team.
During the 2019-20 season, Emory & Henry posted a 22-5 overall record and went 15-3 in league play, to earn the top seed in the ODAC Tournament. The Wasps advanced to the semifinals of the conference postseason for the fifth time in six years and saw three players selected to the All-ODAC Teams, including Peyton Williams who was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Dickens was also recognized as ODAC Coach of the Year by her peers after winning the most games by a first-year head coach in program history.
Prior to her return to Emory, Dickens was the Head Women’s Basketball Coach for eight years at Virginia Intermont College in Bristol (2006-14), previously serving as an assistant for two seasons. Dickens guided the Cobras to a 20-12 overall record in 2011-12 with a 12-6 mark in Appalachian Athletic Conference play. VI posted back-to-back 14-win seasons in the final two years prior to the closure of the school.
Dickens saw two of her players named NAIA All-Americans, four AAC Freshmen of the Year and multiple all-conference and all-academic awards. She was presented with the 2011 AAC Coach of Character Award by her peers.
Also during her time at Virginia Intermont, Dickens served for two years as the Head Women’s Tennis Coach and one season as Head Men’s Tennis Coach and was also the Assistant Volleyball Coach for one year. The men’s team won the AAC Conference Championship and NAIA Regional Championship in 2006, finishing the season ranked No. 13 in the nation, for which she was honored as AAC and Region Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year.
Dickens got her start in coaching at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. She revived the girls’ basketball program at Oak Hill and spent four season as head coach and three years as the Head Girls’ Tennis Coach. Also while at Oak Hill, Dickens served as a resident manager, an advanced PE teacher for girls’ fitness and was a substitute teacher in other subjects.
Dickens has also been actively involved in summer basketball camps for the past 20 years including Emory & Henry, Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, Duke University, the University of Tennessee and many others.
A 1999 graduate of E&H, Dickens holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education. As a player, she was a four-year letterwinner on the basketball court, serving as captain her senior year. She also lettered four years in tennis and once in volleyball.
Dickens received a master’s degree in sport management from American Public University in 2020. A native of Galax, Virginia, Dickens currently resides in Bristol.
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