On Saturday, May 30, 2026, over 200 people gathered together in the ballroom of the Hyrum Manwaring Student Center to honor the life and legacy of Rick Dixon, a former coach of Ricks College football and a current football coach at Teton Highschool in Driggs, Idaho. The event also marked 25 years since the final season of Ricks College football.

Among those in attendance were former Ricks College football players, including players from the final season in 2001, and current football players from Sugar-Salem High School, where Dixon coached.

Rick Dixon played football for four years at Brigham Young University as an inside backer. After his playing years, he was a graduate assistant at BYU for two years, before coaching at Layton High School in Utah for four years. He would later coach at Oklahoma State and North Texas before coming back to work at Ricks College in 1991 until the end of 2001. After his tenure at Ricks, he coached with three different high schools before ending up at Teton Highschool.

Throughout the evening, many former players and coaches shared their testimonials and emphasized Coach Dixon's dedication, humility, and ability to inspire.

Luke Furniss, an equipment manager for Ricks College football from 1998 to 1999 and then again from 2001 to 2002, reflected on his experience working under Coach Dixon.

"We got to connect on a level that I probably wouldn't be able to connect with him on as a player," Furniss said. "It was a different setting."

The event was emceed by Brian Haynie, a former Ricks Football player on the 2001 roster, who expressed the love that he has for Coach Dixon.

"I've really come to appreciate and see firsthand the love that he has for everybody," Haynie said. "Here he is dying of congestive heart failure, and he's out asking how we're doing."

Throughout the event, former players and coaches were given the opportunity to share stories and memories of Coach Dixon and how he made an impact on each of their lives.

Robert Anae, current offensive coordinator for the Utah State University Aggies who coached at Ricks College from 1992 until 1995, was in attendance and shared the love that he had for his time he spent at Ricks College.

"The best coaching job I ever had was right here at Ricks College," Anae said. "My best coaching experience from top to bottom...I loved the players and the guys that I worked with."

At the end of the event, two videos were shown from two former Ricks College football players who couldn't make the event; Jay Hill, defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan, and Gary Andersen, a current analyst at BYU.

Ed Larson, the offensive coordinator for Ricks College football from 1997 until the program's final year in 2001, expressed his love and gratitude for his time spent at Ricks College, as well as seeing so many familiar faces.

"It's been a special experience to see, and [be] so proud of where these young men have turned up in their lives," Larson said. "[I'm] just grateful for...the circle of life in coaching, where these guys are continuing to bless the lives of other young men and women."

He later expressed the impact that Coach Dixon has had in his life.

"[We] talk once or twice a week. We tell wonderful stories all the time," Larson said. "Every conversation, he exudes love in everything that we talk about...can't say enough good things about the quality human being that he is."

After the players and coaches shared their memories about Coach Dixon, they took pictures, signed their names on a shirt, and said their final goodbyes before departing.

Coach Dixon was humbled and appreciative that there was an event all about him and the legacy of football at Ricks College.

"I didn't feel like I deserved [this]," Dixon said. "It's just so good to see these players and how they've left and gone on with their careers and their families...[it's] just a good feeling."

When asked about his emotions entering into the ballroom for the first time, he felt bittersweet.

"I wish kids still had the opportunity to go on and play here," Dixon said. "...so many deserved kids...didn't get this opportunity. It's still a good place, but sports played such an important role [here]."

Prior to the closing of the event, Coach Dixon said his final thanks to everyone in attendance.

"I appreciate the opportunity to get together and see you guys," Dixon said. "May the Lord bless you in all your endeavors...I love you."