Dickson Has Priorities in Order
August 27, 2004

Two sports, one goal. That would turn some athletes into Sybil, she of the multiple personalities. But Ashland University offensive lineman Blake Dickson knows who he is and what he wants to become – one of the nation’s best in football and track and field.

“Before I graduate I want to be an All-America in track and in football,” emphasized Dickson.

The 6-2, 305-pound junior guard has made impressive strides in both pursuits. He’s earned a pair of letters in football and last year, was cited as an honorable mention All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection. Dickson is regarded as AU’s best offensive lineman – he brings the perfect mix of brains and brawn to the gridiron. A year ago, he was the lone returning starter on the offensive front.

In track and field, Dickson’s qualified for the NCAA Division II national meet indoors and outdoors. In 2002 he qualified outdoors in the shot and in 2004, he finished 10th at indoor nationals in the shot. He won the 2004 GLIAC indoor national championship in the shot.

Balancing two sports at the college level and being successful in each isn’t an easy thing to do. This past spring is a perfect example of what Dickson often goes through. A new staff was in place in football and Dickson didn’t want to fall behind there. But he was active in track and field, throwing each weekend and ranking among the best in the country. He admits to worrying about the situation until offensive line coach Doug Geiser spent some time with him.

“I like the fact that he’s in track and field and had success with it,” explained Geiser. “You could see a certain confidence with him back in the spring. I think that comes from being successful at a high level. He was super in workouts and he’s never missed a day, not since the third week in May. He comes in, punches the card and goes to work. I don’t worry about Blake Dickson.”

Dickson took three days off after football last fall and immersed himself in track and field. After track concluded in the spring, he took a week of down time before beginning offseason football workouts. That amounts to year-round conditioning and it’s left Dickson finely tuned for both sports.

“This is the best shape I’ve ever been in,” noted Dickson. “We’re strong and in shape. I think last summer we had maybe five players stay in town. This year we had over 60. We lost a lot of games in the fourth quarter last year and I think this will definitely help.”

Over the last two seasons Dickson has gained a lot of strength in the weightroom, but he’s also had to build up his heart and spirit. That’s not as easy to see as the strength of his biceps. Consecutive 2-9 seasons can wear down a player. Dickson hasn’t let that happen. Last year was a breakthrough season for him.

“Last year I was more confident with my play, I wasn’t thinking as much,” Dickson said. “When you get so you can just go out there and play, that’s big. That started right after two-a-days last year. Every game we get graded and I just got better and better. I think technique is where really got better.”

Another challenge awaits Dickson this season. Geiser and the rest of the AU staff would like to see Dickson exert himself more as a leader.

“He has a leadership quality and I’m not sure he knows that,” said Geiser. “The guys look to him to see how he reacts. We’re working on his leadership skills. We’re going to need him.”

“I’ve just always tried to lead by example,” said Dickson. “I’m a competitor. Sometimes that rubs off on other players.”

That’s the kind of effect head coach Lee Owens and his staff are hoping for. Dickson, a native of North Canton, OH, and a graduate of Jackson High School, was recruited by Owens and Company when they were at the University of Akron. Dickson had visited Akron and was familiar with assistant coaches Tom Stacy and Greg Gillum. Originally, Dickson was headed to Youngstown State. He had a scholarship offer from the Penguins, but when head coach Jim Tressel departed to go to Ohio State, Dickson was left looking for a school. That brought him to Ashland and now he’s gone full circle, back with a group of coaches who knew him as a high school senior.

“As a program, we’ve made a jump,” said Dickson. “There’s a lot of confidence with this new staff. They’re all professionals. Coach Geiser has come in and filled a big role as a coach and a person. The transition has been great.”