“Untold Stories” are the Roo Tales yet to be written for a second book after the first book is finished and published. Hope you enjoy these untold story previews.
Here’s one:
For decades, a successful Phoenix businessman was the best benefactor Arizona State University athletics could ask for. He donated to his beloved Sun Devils whenever a need emerged.
A renovation of Sun Devils Stadium. Uniforms and instruments for the ASU Marching Band. Basketball. Baseball. Golf & Tennis. The Arizona State weight room. The family of this businessman never said no, all the while insisting on no recognition for the generosity.
In the 1990s, Arizona State made plans for a state-of-the-art athletic park. It would house a softball stadium, a soccer stadium, marching band fields, outdoor practice fields, a gymnastic center, a sports performance center, and a swimming facility. The centerpiece of the athletic park was a climate-controlled indoor dome for football. The Phoenix benefactor contributed just as he had before.
Eventually, Arizona State threw down the gauntlet. “You HAVE to let us name THIS after you.” This time, Verde Dickey Jr. compromised.
“OK. You can use my name. But only if you officially name everything in honor of my father. Verde Dickey Sr.”
And so was born the “Verde Dickey East Athletic Village” on the campus of Arizona State, with its centerpiece: the “Verde Dickey Dome.” All modern Division 1 facilities in the Pac-12. And all named after Austin College Kangaroo Verde Dickey Sr.
Not surprisingly, the Austin College fitness pavilion and weight room are also named after Kangaroo Verde Dickey Sr. You can often find Kangaroo athletes here.
But Sun Devil athletes? They have no idea. Little do they realize that their own training is also under the watchful eyes of one of Austin College’s most legendary athletes and famed coaches.
Another “untold story” for another day.
