Entering his 21st year directing the Keene State women's basketball program, Keith Boucher is looking forward to the challenge of molding the Owls into a team that will contend for the Little East Conference championship and return to post-season play.
In 2008-09, Boucher led the Owls to another 20-win season with an overall record of 21-8 and a 9-5 LEC record. For their efforts, Keene State was given their fourth birth to the ECAC Tournament, making it to the semifinal round before falling to Nichols College 58-53.
After leading the Owls' to their most successful season in Division III and the Little East Conference in 2007 with a program best second place LEC finish and first ever NCAA Division III NCAA tournament berth, Boucher's young Owls finished fourth last season, falling short of a tournament berth. With a valuable year of experience under their belt, the Owls appear ready to fly again among the top teams in the Little East.
Combining the talents of a strong veteran nucleus with a group of ready-for-primetime senior class and several promising recruits, Boucher feels his team has the talent, flexibility and depth to make a move up the standings in the competitive Little East Conference and fulfill their tournament aspirations.
Adjustments are nothing new for Boucher, who has seen the team's success fluctuate with each season. He inherited a NECC championship squad in 1989-90 that posted a 23-7 record and became KSC's first-ever women's basketball NCAA Tournament team. The Owls returned to post-season play a few years later, when they reached the ECAC Championship game in 1992-93.
Since moving to Division III and the LEC in 1997, the Owls have made four trips to the ECAC tournament, earned their first-ever LEC championship berth in 2004-05, and culminated their 10-year Division III tenure with its 2007 NCAA tournament berth.
A graduate of Plymouth State College, where he played football and baseball, Boucher went on to receive his master's degree in physical education from Norwich University. The Lebanon, N.H., native began his coaching career as the boys' basketball coach at Timberlane High School and softball coach at Hanover High School, before returning to Norwich as assistant men's basketball coach. After serving in a trial basis for a year, he was officially named the Owls eighth coach in the fall of 1990.
Boucher wants his athletes to succeed at Keene State. "I tell all my kids when they come into my program that I want them to be good at three things; first and most importantly, to be a good person, second to be a good student, and third to be a good basketball player."
Always putting a competitive team on the floor, Boucher has gained a solid reputation for his meticulous preparation, and for getting his players to perform at their highest level. He will use the same positive approach as he incorporates a large and talented group a players into a successful team this season.
Margaitis begins his third season as a member of the Keene State women's basketball coaching staff, first as the Associate Head Coach of the Owls.
Originally from Litchfield, Connecticut, Margaitis came to KSC
after serving as the head girls' basketball coach at Fall Mountain
Regional High School (FMRHS) in 2007. "I saw his team playing
during our Christmas tournament and was impressed with the job Ryan
did," said Boucher. "I thought he was a good communicator and got
the most out of the team's talent."
Margaitis proved to be a valuable addition to the staff last
season, getting involved in every facet of the program and making a
smooth adjustment into the college coaching ranks.
A 1,000-point career scorer at Wamago High in Litchfield, Margaitis played a season at Springfield College. He began his coaching career in Connecticut, before spending a year with Coach Phil Hebert at Keene High then moving on to FMRHS.
Hansen, who served in the same capacity from 2004-07, rejoins the Owls after spending the past two years as the head J.V and assistant varsity coach at Keene High School. "I'm really looking forward to coming back," said Hansen, who earned his degree in computer science from KSC in 2004. "Several of players who were there during our 2007 NCAA season are now seniors, so that will make the transition easier in terms of credibility. I know it's going to be a special year for the program and I wanted to be at part of it."
"I'm excited about having Trevor back with the program, "said KSC Coach Keith Boucher. "He's not only familiar with the personnel on the team, but knows our system and will play a major role in our success."
In addition to working with Owl front-line players, he will also handle scouting and recruiting assignments for the team.
Hansen, a native of Woodstock Valley, Conn., played one season as a reserve forward for the Owls men's basketball team and spent two years working as a sports information assistant at KSC basketball games.
Prior to arriving at Keene State, Hansen has coached the
past two years for the Cheshire County Knights in AAU. He also
played four varsity seasons on the Woodstock (Conn.) Academy team
that ranked third in Class M of his senior year. Hansen, who
received his Master's degree in information technology management
from Franklin Pierce in May, currently works at Timken Super
Precession in Keene.
A former four-year player for the Owls and senior team captain, Megan Lane returns for her second season on the Keene State women's basketball coaching staff.
A hard-working member of the team from 2002-06, Lane was a role model for her teammates with her perseverance and love of the game and was named team captain her senior season. In 2005, she was also named a Strength and Conditioning All-American by Keene State College Strength and Conditioning Coach Sarah Testo.
Lane served as a student assistant coach in 2006-07 while completing her degree in history/secondary education. In 2007-08, she went to Springfield College and received her Master's degree in athletic administration and assisting with the women's basketball team.
"Megan's unselfishness and positive attitude will rub off on the rest of the team," said Boucher. "She's not far removed from being a player with the team, so I think her energy and enthusiasm will be good for the younger players."
Lane came to Keene State from Hawthorne (N.J.) High School where she was a 1,000-point scorer and an all-county and league player as a senior.