Hall of Fame

Dick Bennett

Dick Bennett

  • Class
  • Induction
    2022
  • Sport(s)
    UW-Stevens Point
Induction Video

(Written: July 2022)

Dick Bennett served as UW-Stevens Point’s men’s basketball coach from 1977-85, leading the Pointers to conference championships from 1982-85 and compiling a 174-79 record. He was selected the NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1984 after the Pointers posted a 28-4 record and finished as the national runner-up.

In 1985, UW-Stevens Point had a 25-5 record and reached the second round of the NAIA Championship with Bennett receiving NAIA District 14 Coach of the Year and NAIA Area IV Coach of the Year distinction. He was also the conference Coach of the Year in 1982 and 1985.

After coaching at UW-Stevens Point, Bennett was the head coach at UW-Green Bay for 10 seasons, University of Wisconsin for six years and Washington State University for three seasons. His teams appeared in six NCAA Tournaments at the Division I level.

In 2002, Bennett received the Red Smith Award for his outstanding contribution to basketball in the state of Wisconsin. In 2013, he was honored with the Coach Wooden “Keys to Life” Award. The basketball court at UW-Stevens Point’s Quandt Fieldhouse has formally been dedicated as “Bennett Court”.

Bennett was inducted into the UW-Stevens Point Hall of Fame as a member of the 1983-84 men’s basketball team in 1988, and an individual in 1992. He received enshrinement into the UW-Green Bay Hall of Fame in 2002, Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008 and University of Wisconsin Hall of Fame in 2012.

Bennett earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Ripon College and was a member of the baseball, basketball and football teams. He earned a master’s degree in education from UW-Stevens Point.

Bennett resides in Nekoosa, Wis., with his wife Anne. They have two daughters Amy and Kathi, a son Tony, and six grandchildren.