From Arizona Athletics
The University of Arizona football program announced Friday it will name its new outdoor practice fields adjacent to the Davis Sports Center the Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields to honor the legendary coach, who passed away in May.
The Wildcats will practice on the pair of outside fields, which will now honor Arizona’s former coach, who put a premium on interaction with his players, preparation and continually stressed the importance of character development through practice. The naming presentation, as well as a dedication, will be completed and take place later this season (on a date to be determined).
“Our Wildcat family is proud to honor Coach Tomey in a very special way,” said Vice President/Director of Athletics, Dave Heeke. “His legacy at the University of Arizona touched the lives of many and still resonates to this day. This tribute to an icon will forever embody his tremendous spirit and everlasting love for his players, the program, the university and the community.”
Tomey, the man behind the Wildcats revered “Desert Swarm” defenses of the mid-1990s, goes down in history as Arizona’s winningest head coach. Over 14 seasons in Tucson, he steered the Cats to a 95-64-4 record, compiling nine winning seasons, seven bowl appearances, and four bowl victories over that span. Following a winning campaign in 1992 that included an appearance in the John Hancock Bowl, Tomey became the first Arizona head man to win the Pac-10 Coach of the Year Award.
The Wildcats enjoyed some of their greatest successes under coach Tomey. Under his direction in 1993, Arizona put together a 10-2 season that culminated with a 29-0 wipeout of Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, placing the Wildcats at No. 10 in the final AP Top 25 poll of the year. They found new heights again in 1998, setting a school record with 12 wins and ending the year ranked at No. 4 in the final AP poll.
Those close to the legendary coach know that had it not been for the work he and his teams put on the practice fields, the accolades and winning wouldn’t have followed.
“Dick Tomey’s extended family appreciates the University of Arizona paying tribute to him by naming the football practice fields in his honor,” said Nanci Kincaid, the wife of the late Tomey. “The practice field is where sweat and tears are shed, seeds of triumph are planted, magic firsts happen, and lifetime bonds are forged among teammates. There is nothing easy about the practice field. Here, the work ethic is honed, character is developed and resilience is essential. When at its toughest and best, the practice field teaches players the love of competition, the thrill of precision teamwork, the rewards of personal sacrifice and inspires them in well-earned pride in being an Arizona Wildcat.
“There is not a more fitting way to honor Dick Tomey.”
Added Tomey’s son, Rich: “He would be truly honored with this dedication. It’s exactly spot-on. With the emphasis he put on preparation, it is very fitting to have the practice fields named after him. He put a lot into practice. He was very tough, but everyone knew he loved them and that he held everyone to the same standard. Once he was done coaching, everywhere he went, he always wanted to stand there and watch practice. It gives everyone a chance to compete and improve.”
Tomey’s guiding hand resulted in more than just wins for the Wildcats, as numerous players piled up 20 All-America honors, 43 All-Conference selections, and four Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year awards. In Tedy Bruschi, Rob Waldrop, and Chuck Cecil, Tomey coached three players eventually selected to the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame.
He took over the reins of Arizona’s program in 1987 and immediately found success, rattling off three consecutive winning seasons from 1988-1990. By the time his run with the Wildcats ended in 2000 he had compiled a school-record 95 wins, 15 more than the next closest Arizona coach.
“Our student-athletes will be able to share in Coach Tomey’s legacy throughout the entire year when they step onto those fields,” coach Kevin Sumlin said. “Nearly every day they will be reminded of what Coach Tomey stood for: integrity, love, passion for the game and passion for those who played it. I cannot think of a more appropriate way to honor Coach Tomey’s legacy.”
In honor of his success with the Wildcats, Tomey has been inducted into both the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame and the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame.
Prior to his time with the Wildcats, Tomey spent 10 seasons as the head coach at Hawaii from 1977-1986. At the time of his departure from the Rainbow Warriors, Tomey was the winningest coach in program history. His head coaching career also included a stop at San Jose State from 2005-2009.
Additional quotes on the naming:
“There could not be a better man for the Arizona Football practice fields to be named after than Coach Tomey. Two hours don’t go by that I don’t think about him. I think everyone who played for him is going to be touched by this great tribute to him. We all talk about the lessons Coach taught us that will stick with us for the rest of our lives, and the practice fields are where those lessons were taught. He was always talking about getting better, and you get better in practice, not on game day. Practices were intense and tough. He always pushed us to be our very best. He was the greatest coach I ever practiced or played with.” – Donnie Salum (1988-89)
“I think one of the biggest names that should always be associated with Arizona Football is Dick Tomey. Naming the practice fields after him is one way to keep the legend of his name alive, so that no one ever forgets. Coach wanted to find the tough guy in you in practice. The practices were difficult and physical, but they prepared you fully for games. I think the true measure of a man is not how great of a football player you are, but how great of a man you can be, and that was always something Coach Tomey talked about to us on the practice fields. It will bring me a lot of joy every time I go to the practice fields now to see Coach being honored. The players at Arizona now will spend more time on the practice field than anywhere else, so it’s very appropriate. It’s great to know the name, Dick Tomey, will be immortalized in Arizona Football history forever.” – Lance Briggs (1999-2002)
“Dick Tomey is Arizona football. I would not have come to Tucson without him there. Playing for him, I can see the impact he had on all of his players. He took you in, even after you graduated, he would follow up and call you and make sure he knew what was going on in your life. There are so many things like that who make him who he is. He’s a leader of young men. He just did so much for me as a person. It’s very cool the school is doing that. It’s much deserved. I can’t say enough good things about Coach Tomey.” – Keith Smith (1996-99)
The University of Arizona football program announced Friday it will name its new outdoor practice fields adjacent to the Davis Sports Center the Dick Tomey Football Practice Fields to honor the legendary coach, who passed away in May.
The Wildcats will practice on the pair of outside fields, which will now honor Arizona’s former coach, who put a premium on interaction with his players, preparation and continually stressed the importance of character development through practice. The naming presentation, as well as a dedication, will be completed and take place later this season (on a date to be determined).
“Our Wildcat family is proud to honor Coach Tomey in a very special way,” said Vice President/Director of Athletics, Dave Heeke. “His legacy at the University of Arizona touched the lives of many and still resonates to this day. This tribute to an icon will forever embody his tremendous spirit and everlasting love for his players, the program, the university and the community.”
Tomey, the man behind the Wildcats revered “Desert Swarm” defenses of the mid-1990s, goes down in history as Arizona’s winningest head coach. Over 14 seasons in Tucson, he steered the Cats to a 95-64-4 record, compiling nine winning seasons, seven bowl appearances, and four bowl victories over that span. Following a winning campaign in 1992 that included an appearance in the John Hancock Bowl, Tomey became the first Arizona head man to win the Pac-10 Coach of the Year Award.
The Wildcats enjoyed some of their greatest successes under coach Tomey. Under his direction in 1993, Arizona put together a 10-2 season that culminated with a 29-0 wipeout of Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, placing the Wildcats at No. 10 in the final AP Top 25 poll of the year. They found new heights again in 1998, setting a school record with 12 wins and ending the year ranked at No. 4 in the final AP poll.
Those close to the legendary coach know that had it not been for the work he and his teams put on the practice fields, the accolades and winning wouldn’t have followed.
“Dick Tomey’s extended family appreciates the University of Arizona paying tribute to him by naming the football practice fields in his honor,” said Nanci Kincaid, the wife of the late Tomey. “The practice field is where sweat and tears are shed, seeds of triumph are planted, magic firsts happen, and lifetime bonds are forged among teammates. There is nothing easy about the practice field. Here, the work ethic is honed, character is developed and resilience is essential. When at its toughest and best, the practice field teaches players the love of competition, the thrill of precision teamwork, the rewards of personal sacrifice and inspires them in well-earned pride in being an Arizona Wildcat.
“There is not a more fitting way to honor Dick Tomey.”
Added Tomey’s son, Rich: “He would be truly honored with this dedication. It’s exactly spot-on. With the emphasis he put on preparation, it is very fitting to have the practice fields named after him. He put a lot into practice. He was very tough, but everyone knew he loved them and that he held everyone to the same standard. Once he was done coaching, everywhere he went, he always wanted to stand there and watch practice. It gives everyone a chance to compete and improve.”
Tomey’s guiding hand resulted in more than just wins for the Wildcats, as numerous players piled up 20 All-America honors, 43 All-Conference selections, and four Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year awards. In Tedy Bruschi, Rob Waldrop, and Chuck Cecil, Tomey coached three players eventually selected to the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame.
He took over the reins of Arizona’s program in 1987 and immediately found success, rattling off three consecutive winning seasons from 1988-1990. By the time his run with the Wildcats ended in 2000 he had compiled a school-record 95 wins, 15 more than the next closest Arizona coach.
“Our student-athletes will be able to share in Coach Tomey’s legacy throughout the entire year when they step onto those fields,” coach Kevin Sumlin said. “Nearly every day they will be reminded of what Coach Tomey stood for: integrity, love, passion for the game and passion for those who played it. I cannot think of a more appropriate way to honor Coach Tomey’s legacy.”
In honor of his success with the Wildcats, Tomey has been inducted into both the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame and the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame.
Prior to his time with the Wildcats, Tomey spent 10 seasons as the head coach at Hawaii from 1977-1986. At the time of his departure from the Rainbow Warriors, Tomey was the winningest coach in program history. His head coaching career also included a stop at San Jose State from 2005-2009.
Additional quotes on the naming:
“There could not be a better man for the Arizona Football practice fields to be named after than Coach Tomey. Two hours don’t go by that I don’t think about him. I think everyone who played for him is going to be touched by this great tribute to him. We all talk about the lessons Coach taught us that will stick with us for the rest of our lives, and the practice fields are where those lessons were taught. He was always talking about getting better, and you get better in practice, not on game day. Practices were intense and tough. He always pushed us to be our very best. He was the greatest coach I ever practiced or played with.” – Donnie Salum (1988-89)
“I think one of the biggest names that should always be associated with Arizona Football is Dick Tomey. Naming the practice fields after him is one way to keep the legend of his name alive, so that no one ever forgets. Coach wanted to find the tough guy in you in practice. The practices were difficult and physical, but they prepared you fully for games. I think the true measure of a man is not how great of a football player you are, but how great of a man you can be, and that was always something Coach Tomey talked about to us on the practice fields. It will bring me a lot of joy every time I go to the practice fields now to see Coach being honored. The players at Arizona now will spend more time on the practice field than anywhere else, so it’s very appropriate. It’s great to know the name, Dick Tomey, will be immortalized in Arizona Football history forever.” – Lance Briggs (1999-2002)
“Dick Tomey is Arizona football. I would not have come to Tucson without him there. Playing for him, I can see the impact he had on all of his players. He took you in, even after you graduated, he would follow up and call you and make sure he knew what was going on in your life. There are so many things like that who make him who he is. He’s a leader of young men. He just did so much for me as a person. It’s very cool the school is doing that. It’s much deserved. I can’t say enough good things about Coach Tomey.” – Keith Smith (1996-99)
