TEAM TO HONOR RETIRING CCSU PRESIDENT JACK MILLER & HEAD BASKETBALL COACH HOWIE DICKENMAN 

 

(New Britain, Conn., July 18, 2016) – New Britain Bees team officials today announced that the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball club will host Central Connecticut State University on Thursday, July 28th at New Britain Stadium. CCSU staff, alumni, and students are invited to enjoy a pregame barbeque in the first base picnic area starting at 5:00 PM. During the game between the New Britain and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the Bees will honor CCSU President Jack Miller and Head Basketball Coach Howie Dickenman, who retired at the conclusion of the 2015-16 school year.

 

President Miller is the 12th president of CCSU, the oldest publicly supported institution of higher education in Connecticut founded in 1849. During his tenure at CCSU, President Miller increased the university’s endowment from $20 million in 2005 to $63 million in 2015. He also increased the university’s six-year graduation rate from 40 percent in 2005 to 57.3 percent in 2015, and increased minority enrollment from 11 percent in 2005 to 31 percent in 2015. While president, he was committed to working with faculty and staff in delivering new programs and increasing workforce and economic development efforts, partnering with companies and public agencies to bring CCSU programs to workplaces to promote civic engagement, and a new MBA program and majors in engineering, nursing and teaching, were also initiated.  

 

Howie Dickenman is the only coach in CCSU history to lead the program to the NCAA Division I Tournament having guided the Blue Devils to three Northeast Conference Tournament Championships. He ranks second on the school's all-time wins list, behind only his former head coach Bill Detrick. In 20 seasons at his alma mater, he has compiled 282 wins overall and ranks second all-time among NEC coaches with 187 regular-season wins.  Dickenman currently has the second-longest tenure as a head coach at their alma mater, behind only Jim Boeheim's 39 years at Syracuse. Dickenman graduated from CCSU in 1970 and earned First Team All-America honors from the NABC while playing under head coach Bill Detrick. He became the first player in school history to reach 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds during his career and is the only Blue Devil to do so in three seasons. Prior to being named head coach at Central, Dickenman spent 14 seasons at the University of Connecticut, including 10 years as the top assistant to coach Jim Calhoun. 

 

"Coach Dickenman is a man of integrity and an icon of college basketball at Central, in Connecticut, and nationally," said Dr. Jack Miller, former president of Central Connecticut State University. "I have been honored to work with him during my entire 11 years at CCSU. His word is his bond and I will look forward in the future to having him as a personal friend."

 

“CCSU ITBD is pleased to take part in the Bees upcoming CCSU Night honoring retiring President Jack Miller and retired CCSU Men’s Basketball Coach Howie Dickenman,” said Richard Mullins of Central Connecticut State University’s Institute of Technology & Business Development. “CCSU ITBD is also excited to share the experience of professional baseball with our student interns who are our special guests from The University of the Armed Forces from Hamburg Germany. Additionally, we would also like to thank the Bees presenting sponsor, Stanley Black and Decker, for sponsoring CCSU ITBD’s Client Appreciation Night also taking place during the game.”

 

"The Bees are proud to host CCSU and to honor President Jack Miller and Coach Howie Dickenmen,” said Patrick Day, General Manager of the New Britain Bees. “We are excited for this to be the first of many special events and community initiatives to come between the Bees and CCSU."

 

Tickets for the pregame picnic and game are available for $30 until July 25th by calling the New Britain Bees at (860) 826-BEES or by visiting the New Britain Stadium Box Office. A special $10 CCSU ticket deal for the game is also available. Both ticket options are open to  CCSU staff, students, alumni, and supporters until July 27th and can be ordered calling the New Britain Bees at (860) 826-BEES or by visiting the New Britain Stadium Box Office as well.

 

About the New Britain Bees

 

The New Britain Bees are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and are in their inaugural season of play at New Britain Stadium. For further information or to reserve tickets, email [email protected], call 860-826-BEES (2337), or visit NBBees.com.

 

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

 

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 35 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB.  The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.

 

For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com