Dave Dickenson, A Big Sky Legend
It’s not every day that a Hall of Famer steps on your campus. When he does, he’s a celebrity. When that Hall of Famer is a Montana Grizzly football alum and he walks into a stadium, the crowd goes wild. Dave Dickenson is a Big Sky legend.
In January, the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame named Dickenson to the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018.
This past Friday, the University of Montana and The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame jointly honored 2018 electee Dickenson with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute. The Salute took place on Saturday, Sept. 22, between the first and second quarter of the Grizzlies' game against Sacramento State. As a tribute to Dickenson and his outstanding achievements, the football team wore throwback copper and gold uniforms against the Hornets.
During a press conference on Friday, Dickenson said, “I’m very proud to be a part of this group. I love football. I love the history of football. I think what we are learning is that respect has to go a long way in the college game, as well as any professional game and any team game. As a coach you’re just trying to build the right type of team. It’s not always the greatest athlete. It’s not always the guy that can jump the highest, run the fastest. I think there’s room for people that know their roles, get everything out of their body they can, are willing to sacrifice…”
Dickenson was a two-time First Team All-American for Montana. Although the years have passed, Dickenson’s records have remained. He is Montana’s all-time leading passer, in addition to having his name attached to 28 other school records.
In 1995, Dickenson’s phenomenal talents on the football field led him to receiving the prestigious Walter Payton Award, which is given to the top player in the FCS. During the 1995 season, Dickenson led Montana to a come-from-behind win over Marshall to win the FCS national title on a game-winning field goal. His playoff stat line included 1,500-plus passing yards and 13 touchdowns. The Walter Payton Award honoree ended his stellar season with 5,676 passing yards, 51 touchdowns, Big Sky MVP honors, a Big Sky championship and a national title.
Interim Commissioner Ron Loghry was on hand in Missoula on Saturday for the presentation. Loghry stated, “I’m excited that I could represent the Big Sky Conference and be on hand in Missoula for Dave’s Campus Salute. It’s an honor to see one of the Big Sky’s best enter the Hall of Fame. As a conference, we are very proud of Dave and his achievements on the field and a pillar in the community.”
If Dickenson’s athletic achievements weren’t enough to make Missoula proud, he added to his resume NFF National Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-America honors.
Dickenson capped his college career with three-time First Team All-Big Sky honors, three Big Sky Offensive MVP, and two conference championships in 1993 and 1995, four playoff appearances, and the Big Kahuna with the 1995 National Championship trophy. For his incredible accolades, Montana retired Dickenson's No. 15 jersey - it is one of only two retired jerseys.
In 2013, the Big Sky named Dickenson the league’s greatest male athlete.
Dickenson continued to play football after college, and in the Canadian Football League he played for the Calgary Stampeders (1997-2000, 2008) and the BC Lions (2003-07). The 2015 CFL Hall of Fame inductee was the league's MVP in 2000, and he won three Grey Cups (1998, 2006, 2008). Dickenson also spent time in the NFL in 2001 and 2002 with the San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions.
Dickenson currently coaches the Calgary Stampeders, and has led the team to two Grey Cup appearances since taking over in 2016. He previously spent seven years as an assistant coach.
Dickenson joins Bill Kelly (1924-26) as the only two Grizzly players in the Hall of Fame. He is the fourth Big Sky player overall to enter the Hall of Fame. To add to his achievements, Dickenson is just the ninth player to be inducted into both the College Football and Canadian Football (CFL) Hall of Fames.
“Did I ever think I was going to get in?” Dickenson laughed. “No, but I had a dream this might happen.”
Well, the Big Sky is happy for Dave Dickenson and all of his many achievements as a student-athlete and coach. Congratulations.
The 2018 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on Tuesday, Dec. 4. To read more about the College Football Hall of Fame
click here.