Verde Dickey, 81, a businessman who was among ASU’s biggest supporters, died February 15, 2014. The son of a career teacher and high school football coach, Dickey provided financial help to the Sun Devils for many years in many areas. The football program’s indoor practice facility — the Verde Dickey Dome — is named in his honor, but he provided much more to the university. Dickey did not attend ASU; a Texas native, he graduated from SMU. He came to Arizona decades ago and adopted the Sun Devils. He not only helped the football programs, but also ASU’s golf and basketball programs, the marching band, and other teams and projects that never became public. “Verde Dickey has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people,” ASU President Michael Crow said in a statement. “His investment in ASU has enabled generations of student-athletes to grow to their full academic and athletic potential. His investment in ASU has enabled alumni and fans to enjoy high-caliber, competitive athletic events and the performances of the Sun Devil Marching Band, season after season, year after year. His investment in ASU has left an indelible mark on the present, past and future of this institution.” Dickey loved coaches. He valued them as educators. Among Dickey’s last gifts was helping the ASU football team renovate its weight room, a move coach Todd Graham saw as a necessity in elevating the program. Dickey’s philanthropy spread across all of ASU’s campuses. When he paid for new uniforms for the band, he consulted with the costume designer working on them. When he contributed for athletic facilities, he met regularly with architects and project managers. “He became very involved in every project. He was always hands-on,” said his wife, Cathy. In addition to his wife, Dickey leaves behind three sons and two granddaughters. A memorial service is planned for 10 a.m. March 7 at the Dickey Dome. (Sources: ASU Foundation and Arizona Republic)