Dillon honored by area college
By Jeff Ward
Argus Observer
Friday, January 2, 2009 8:29 AM PST
PAYETTE — Richard Dillon, retired Payette School District superintendent, was recently inducted into the Eastern Oregon University Hall of Fame as the 2008 Distinguished Alumnus.
That’s a long fancy title for a man most people in Payette still just call “coach.” Dillon graduated from EOU in 1966. It took him eight years to earn a bachelor’s degree.
“I had to keep dropping out to go to work to help support my family,” Dillon said. “I finally earned my BA in 1966 and then my master’s degree in social science.”
At EOU, Dillon participated in football and track. He started coaching in 1962 in Emmett for eighth-grade basketball and tennis. He then moved on to the high school, coaching football and track. Dillon then moved to New Plymouth as the assistant basketball coach and the head football coach.
“I kind of did a little of everything in New Plymouth,” Dillon said. “I coached, taught, I even drove school bus. The old Willow route, way out there.”
After New Plymouth, where he eventually became the head basketball coach, Dillon moved on to Middleton, and then in 1977 he found himself in Payette.
So how exactly did the Hall of Fame honor come to be? Well, Dillon said, that’s an interesting story.
“I was at home when the phone rang. It was a young woman from EOU asking for donations from alumni,” he said. “I contribute to EOU, BSU and the U of I because of grandchildren or my own children that have gone to school there. I really wasn’t in the mood to hear a sales pitch, but this gal and I got to talking about my time there at EOU.”
That conversation led to Payette School District Superintendent Pauline King. A nomination to the Hall of Fame has to be sponsored by an EOU alumni.
“When they read the letter that Pauline wrote for sponsorship, I had no idea who they were talking about,” Dillon said. “I was taken completely by surprise when I found out it was me. I was introduced at a breakfast that they had for inductees. We were also the marshals for the homecoming parade. I am truly honored by this.”
Dillon was recognized for his 40-year career as a coach and administrator. Dillon was the president of the Idaho Coaches and High School Activities Association and is a member of its hall of fame. He was also a delegate of the national Federation of High Schools and served as the chairman of the board for the Western states. Dillon served as a teacher, coach and superintendent in Payette until his retirement in 1986, and he is very proud of the remodeling projects that took place while he was in charge, with the enclosure of the high school and the remodel of Westside Elementary School.
But it’s coach that seems to sit best with him.
“I was lucky to inherit great ball clubs,” Dillon said. “Everywhere I went, the players, assistant coaches, teachers — they are what made going in to work worthwhile. I had the honor of coaching 56 teams in 24 years. I saw a lot of talent and had a lot of fun.”
