Westboro, MA --- Francis Dyson, 85, died peacefully in his sleep on June 28, 2014, surrounded by his family. Dyson was a Physical Education professor for 33 years at Worcester State while he also serving as a men’s basketball, golf and baseball coach during his tenure at Chandler Street.
Dyson, a 1953 graduate of Holy Cross, was inducted into the Lancer Hall of Fame in 1992 upon his retirement and he was enshrined this past May in the Holy Cross Varsity Club Hall of Fame.
“Coach Dyson was one of the finest teachers, coaches and a role model for so many of us that had the opportunity to play for him,” said Phil Moresi ’68. “He was a quiet leader with a profound impact on all of his players. It was a pleasure playing for him and I incorporated what I learned into my own coaching philosophy.”
After attending high school at Worcester South and a completing one year of post-graduate studies at Worcester Academy, Dyson earned a baseball and men’s basketball scholarship to attend Holy Cross.
Dyson made the most of his opportunities on the diamond, starting at first base as a junior on the 1952 NCAA Division I Championship squad that came out of the loser’s bracket to win five straight games – including consecutive victories over Missouri in the title series – to earn the crown. During the College World Series, Dyson batted .333 with six RBIs for a club that outscored their opponents 52-17.
In his senior semester, Dyson swatted .315 en route to leading the squad to the 1953 NCAA Baseball Tournament.
On the court, Dyson aided the Crusaders to appearances in the 1952 National Invitational Tournament and the 1953 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament as a sensational backcourt defender.
Following a two-year US Army stint serving overseas in the Korean
War and earning his advanced graduate education at Boston
University, Dyson started his coaching career at Worcester State in
1959 where he was installed as the program's second men’s
basketball coach.
Using his wealth of knowledge on the hardwood, he went 42-18 over his first three seasons with a trio of appearances in the New England State Teachers College Tournament. His 1959-60 squad earned a berth in the title game while his 1961-62 club captured the NESTC Championship.
En route to 108 victories, four NESTC tournament appearances and a .527 career winning percentage after stepping down following the 1968-69 campaign, Dyson guided 10 future Lancer Hall of Fame players and five 1,000 point scorers.
Dyson took over the reigns of the baseball team in 1969. Over his 10 years as head coach, the Lancers posted 68 victories and during the 1978 season, the Blue and Gold shared the Regular Season Massachusets State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) title and received an invitation to play in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division II/III Tournament.
As an administrator in the athletics department, Dyson helped run intramural program from 1959-70 and in 1970 he assumed athletic training duties while also establishing the athletic training facilities on campus. He also served as an inaugural member of the WSU Hall of Fame Committee and for four years on the Academic Policy Committee.
“He even showed his athleticism while teaching softball and volleyball classes.” said Don Cushing ’66. “He was a great physical education teacher and a tremendous resource for all of us.”
After his retirement, Dyson returned to College Square and he helped tutor the Crusader softball team from 1993 to 1997. Under the watchful eye of Dyson, the 1995 squad tied for second place in the Patriot League Standings en route to conference Coach of the Year accolades.
“Just to think, how one person at a tiny little teacher’s college could have such an impact as a role model and mentor for so many,” said Ron Dunham ‘70.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Worcester State Foundation, the Francis and Ruth Dyson Scholarship, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA 01602.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours from 4-7 PM on Tuesday, July 1 at the Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central Street in Auburn. His funeral will be held on Wednesday at 10 AM in the North American Martrys Church, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn. A burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.
Holy Cross Varsity Club Hall of Fame Biography
1952 Holy Cross Division I Championship Article
Pictured Above: James Ferdella and Phil Moresi On "Senior
Day" With Dyson
Pictured Middle: Dyson Takes A Moment To Pose In The Worcester State University Gym Building
Pictured Below: 1961-62 Worcester State Men's Basketball Team Which Captured The New England State Teacher College Tournament Championship
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