Erin Dallas’ career at Keene State College was nothing short of miraculous. A local product who had played at Keene High School, Dallas transferred to Keene State after playing her freshman year at the University of Michigan. A big-time talent, Dallas had scored the game winner against Indiana in the Big Ten championship game.
That talent would return home to KSC, finishing her career as a three-time All-American with her name in the KSC record books and leading the Owls to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. But the real miracle happened off the field. Heading in for what was supposed to be routine surgery on her knee, Dallas was re-admitted four days afterwards for an infection. It turned out to be necrotizing fasciitis, a bacterial infection that can destroy skin and soft tissue. It nearly took her leg – then her life.
Enduring 10 consecutive days of surgery, countless hours of physical therapy, and time in a hyperbaric chamber, Dallas spent nearly three straight weeks at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Dallas said she couldn’t have survived the ordeal without the support of her family and friends. KSC held a special night for her at a basketball game with proceeds going to the hospital to offset her medical bills. Entering the Spaulding Gym with the aid of a walker, fans greeted an emotional Dallas with a standing ovation.
Then it was back on the field; Just nine months after enduring multiple surgeries and countless hours of physical therapy, Dallas was cleared to play. One of the outcomes of the illness was that Dallas, who had been an All-American in 2007 and 2008 and LEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2007, was forced to switch to defense, where she went out and ended up earning LEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2009, capping her career with her third All-America award. Dallas, who is KSC’s all-time leader in assists, ranks in the top 10 in several other categories. But her most impressive achievement truly was a miracle.