Tears, laughter, and reflection filled McKale Center Friday morning for the Dick Tomey Celebration of Life.
The legendary Arizona Football coach passed away earlier this month from lung cancer. Several former players, coaches, associates, and family members told stories of how Tomey impacted their lives.
"He had this uncanny gift to motivate his players," said Chuck Cecil, Tomey's first captain at Arizona. "He touched you in this special way, and he touched me."
"I talked to many players, former and current, and everyone always says thank you for sharing your Dad with us," said Rich Tomey, his son. "Thank you for sharing him with me. You guys all made him the person that he is."
Tomey was the winningest coach at the University of Hawaii when he left there to become Arizona's head coach, and he remains the Wildcats winningest coach.
"Coach Tomey lives in the hearts of all the players, all the coaches, and all the fans that he touched in his coaching career," said Joe Salavea, a former player.
