University of Houston Athletics
Former Assistant AD Rookie Dickenson Passes Away on Thursday
7/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
July 9, 2004
HOUSTON - Richard "Rookie" Dickenson, a former University of Houston assistant athletics director, passed away Thursday morning at Southeast Memorial Hermann Hospital. He was 76 years old.
Dickenson was rushed to the hospital early Wednesday morning after suffering a serious stroke.
Both the visitation and chapel service will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home (21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, TX 77598). Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, with the chapel service at 10 a.m., Monday.
Dickenson served in the UH Athletics Department from 1982-93 as an assistant AD for intramurals/recreation. During his tenure, he worked with UH's intramurals and sport clubs, game-day operations and special events and served as an assistant professor in the Health and Human Performance.
"Rookie was the best and a prince of a person," said Chris Pezman, a former UH football player and athletics administrator. "He took me under his wing when I became an Assistant AD for Operations and was a valued source of information and advice."
A key member in the development of the UH Intramurals programs, Dickenson was one of the biggest proponents of the school's new, state-of-the-art Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. The Intramurals Newcomer of the Year Award was named after him and is given to a first-year student who demonstrates his spirit and enthusiasm for the program.
"The students did it because Rookie had a way of getting them to buy into the program," said Reginald Riley, assistant director for campus recreation. "He let the students run their own program, and he made the job fun."
Dickenson and members of his staff also were responsible for coordinating each UH Athletics home event as well as any special events and concerts.
As a professor at the University, Dickenson taught several courses in the Sports Administration program, including the introductory Sports Administration class and the Sports Facility Management course.
"Rookie was the link between the three areas - academics, athletics and recreation," said Dr. Kathleen Anzivino, UH director of campus recreation. "Under his leadership, the three were a great team."
