Entering his 23rd year directing the Keene State women's basketball program, Keith Boucher is looking forward to the challenge of rebuilding the Owls into a team that will contend for the Little East Conference championship and return to post-season play.

After a disappointing 2010-11 season, Boucher hopes the returning seniors and new faces will give the Owls the boost they need in a very competitive Little East Conference. "I tell everyone at the beginning of every season that the Little East is one of the best leagues around," said Boucher. "I think we have done a nice job of going out and adding some quality bodies to give us more size and depth in the 2011-12 season. Now we have to go out and compete for 40 minutes every night."

Earning his 300th career win in 2009-10, Boucher led a veteran Keene State team to its second consecutive 20-win season (20-9, 8-6 LEC) and its first ECAC New England Championship.  It was the Owls second trip to the regional tournament. 

Under Boucher’s direction, the Owls had their most 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, advancing to the second-round.  

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 five trips to the ECAC tournament, capturing the crown in 2010.  They 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, 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 young group a players into a successful team this season.

Margaitis begins his fifth season as a member of the Keene State women's basketball coaching staff, third 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, rejoined the Owls last season after spending two years as the head J.V and assistant varsity coach at Keene High School.  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 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 fourth 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.