Shhhhh!!!!!! Nobody tell Arizona State!
Nobody tell them what, Marc?
Verde Dickey Sr. is a Roo legend. After his playing days at Austin College in the 1920s, Dickey Sr. entered the Texas coaching ranks. He retired decades later and was inducted into the Texas Coaches Hall of Fame. Verde Dickey Sr. was inducted into the Austin College Hall of Honor in 1974; the Austin College weight room is named for this Roo.
Dickey Sr. had a son, also named Verde Dickey. Verde Dickey Jr. moved to Phoenix, made his fortune, and became a fan and supporter of his Arizona State Sun Devils. His support was prolific and humble. For years Dickey Jr. never hesitated to write a big check, but he always insisted that his name not accompany his generosity. Marching band uniforms and instruments, locker rooms, facilities, etc. You name it, Dickey supported it.
Eventually it got freakin’ ridiculous.
Arizona State built an entire athletics village for its men’s and women’s teams, including a climate-controlled practice dome to avoid the scorching heat. Dickey Jr. nearly funded it all, and Arizona State pleaded with their benefactor to let them finally, at long last, name the facility for him. This time, Dickey Jr. struck a deal.
“I’ll tell you what. You can use the name Verde Dickey as much as you want. But instead of me, every official mention of the name has to honor my father. Verde Dickey Sr.”
Walk around the campus of Arizona State, and you will see the name Verde Dickey around every corner. For Sun Devil fans, the name is synonymous with the school. But nobody in the Phoenix/Tempe area has a clue. And in fact, perhaps nobody outside of the Go Roos Facebook Group has a clue.
The. Sun. Devils. are. HONORING. AN. AUSTIN. COLLEGE. KANGAROO.
Shhhhh!!!!!! Nobody tell Arizona State!
(20:40)