Photo courtesy Mike Wohl

By Ryan Scott
D3hoops.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – It’s just 25 miles from Amherst College to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, but it was a distance Dave Hixon never expected to travel.  “I may not be a household name,” said Hixon, in his induction speech. “But I do have a story.  My story is a 50 year love affair with a school and a sport.”

Division III rolled out its 50th anniversary celebration last week and those of us in love with the division understand just how much it means for Hixon to make this short trip down I-91 and how many heroes of the game have yet to receive the wider recognition they so richly deserve.

Overwhelming was the mood of the night.  With their constant presence on our screens, it’s easy to forget that Hixon’s fellow inductees, Dwyane Wade, Becky Hammon, Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, and Pau Gasol had equally difficult and poignant journeys.  The Hall of Fame marks lifetime achievement even for those whose every achievement is celebrated in real time.  The presence of Hixon, and JUCO legend Gene Bess, represent those basketball legends who served and sacrificed outside the spotlight.

Former Pomona-Pitzer coach Greg Popovich connected the flashy NBA names with the unsung heroes and summed up the magnitude of their collective achievements. “What the hell am I doing here? How could this happen? I am a Division III guy. Guys like Coach Hixon are my idols.”

Hixon’s idol was his father, Wil, who was his high school coach in Andover. The Hixons won a state title together, and in 2003 went into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame together.  Hixon noted that the celebrations for winning 800 games, retiring, and having the Amherst court named for him seemed like culminations.  Why not?  No one in Division III ever made the trip to Springfield.

With 826 wins in 42 years, including two national championships, Hixon was a natural choice to be the first Division III coach so honored.  To enter Springfield Symphony Hall for the enshrinement ceremony, Hixon had to walk a two block red carpet.  The Boys and Girls Club kids lining the street were looking for Wade and Hammon, but unknowingly witnessed the end of an incredible journey.

It was less than 100 miles from Andover to Amherst, where Dave Hixon’s only career aspiration was to never leave.  After four years playing and three as an assistant, he took the head gig and never looked back.  He summed it up himself this evening, “The family we created over that 42 years and successes we achieved are more than I ever could have imagined or even asked for.”

Hixon also noted his representation of the entire Division III community, his selection representing a choice by the Hall of Fame to diversify its representation.  Steve Moore and Glenn Robinson, the only two Division III men’s basketball coaches with more wins than Hixon, have been on the long list before, but none have been finalists, let alone elected. 

Part of that may be Hixon’s legacy.  At least four current Division III head coaches, each a former Hixon player or assistant, were present at the ceremony, in addition to dozens of Amherst alums, who’ve gone on to great success in many fields, including as coaches and executives in the NBA.

When you begin a journey in basketball, you can never be certain where it will end.  Fellow 2023 nominees spoke of accidental careers.  Legendary Purdue coach Gene Keady started coaching basketball because he couldn’t get a football job and Texas A&M women’s coach, Gary Blair, got into the business because Title IX opened a girls basketball position at the school where he taught.

With a recent retirement, Hixon has had plenty of time to think about legacy and appreciate the scope of his life and career.  He clearly appreciates the honor and accepts the accolades in a very humble, New England manner.  It’s also clear that he doesn’t need the attention.  He beamed most proudly introducing his wife and two sons (a Hall of Fame diving coach, Oscar nominee, and Olympic medalist), thanking them for their support and contribution to his journey.

For Hixon, there’s not many other places to go.  He still watches more Division III basketball than just about anyone - he has to, to keep up with mentoring so many coaches across the country - and his wisdom is always sound, free, and available to those in need.  But it’s also time to make way for the next journey.

Division III basketball just got its foot in the door at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.  There’s still no women’s coach inside and plenty of other worthy contributors whose stories must be told and whose journeys need one more leg to Springfield, Massachusetts.

Let's hope it doesn't take another 50 years.