Cerro Coso SCORES with New Coach

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Kris Dickson is the first to take charge of the new Lady Coyote's Soccer Team at Cerro Coso.

A player since the age of 5, Dickson brings to the team extensive experience in coaching and on the field. He played competitive soccer for 8 years as a youth, was an All-SIAA pick in high school, and then went on to play in college and spent three years in the CCSL before retiring to coaching.

Dickson played for American River College for 2 years, competing in the California State Finals in 1997, and played for 2 years at Sonoma State University (2002 NCAA Division II National Champions).

For 23 years Dickson has coached the sport he loves, and is excited to be a part of the new program that will bring collegiate soccer to the community.

In addition to coaching women's soccer at Cerro Coso he assists with the BU14 team and the Scorpions Junior Academy, works as a club goalkeeper coach, and serves on the Executive Board of Directors as Club Vice President and is the Director of Coaching for the Ridgecrest Scorpions Soccer Club.

A helicopter pilot in the Navy, Dickson heads the Search and Rescue Department on base. Search and rescue and soccer have something in common: "trust" explained Dickson. "You have to trust others to know what to do, and to be where they need to be, when you need them to be there."

Learning to trust is just one of the many benefits of playing college sports. Dickson said college athletes learn time management skills, discipline, and team work, and build lifelong friendships.

There are currently 13 Lady Coyotes on the soccer team, all from within the college's service area. In addition to winning games, Coach Dickson wants the team to be successful in their academic endeavors and plans to teach them how to be supportive of each other both on and off the field. "Kris' experience as a player and a coach provides a tremendous resource to Cerro Coso's Athletic Department," said John Mercer, Athletic Director at the college. "I am confident he will make the college soccer program strong, and we welcome his expertise and incredible background having lived, played, and coached the sport."

Dickson and his wife Cami, the newly promoted Office Manager at Monroe Middle School, plan to stay in the area when he retires from the Navy in two years. They find Ridgecrest the ideal location to raise their two active children: Cole (12) and Casey (11).

Dickson holds a BS Degree in Kinesiology (Physical Education/Athletic Training) from Sonoma State University, FIFA AFC (Asian Football Confederation) "C" License, NSCAA Director of Coaching Certification, Frans Hoek Goalkeeper Coaching Method Level III Certification, and AHA First Aid and CPR Certification, as well as two Master's degrees in Military History and in National Security and Strategic Studies.

He is a member of the Cal South Coaches Association and National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).