John Dick - Basketball

As a basketball player and later well-decorated member of the U.S. Navy, John Dick represented the state with a level of athletic skill and professional honor worthy of being remembered for all-time.

Born in 1919, Dick grew up in The Dalles as part of an athletic family and caught the eye of Oregon coach Howard Hobson as a 6-foot-4 forward despite not having led the Indians farther than the first round of the state tournament. He moved to Eugene in 1936 and suited up for the varsity team as a sophomore the next season.

As a junior, he moved into the starting line-up and played a key role on the school’s NCAA Championship squad, the “Tall Firs.” Dick scored a game-high 13 points in the title game, a 46-33 win over Ohio State.

As the team returned via train to Eugene, hundreds of residents of The Dalles pooled change of any amount to purchase Dick a $75 watch to commemorate the title.

In 1940, the Ducks opened with seven wins in the first eight games, but finished 19-12 and missed the national playoffs. Dick earned a spot on the PCC Northern Division All-Conference First Team. In addition, he was named to the Helms Foundation All-America First-Team and the Converse Yearbook Second Team.

Dick enlisted in the Navy the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, and eventually rose to the rank of Rear Admiral. He commanded the Supercarrier USS Saratoga for two years, 1967-69. He retired in 1973 after 32 years, returned to Eugene and became an Oregon season ticket holder with his wife.

Oregon’s basketball coaches annually present the John Dick Award to the team’s top defender.

Dick was inducted to the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class in 1980 as a player, and in 1984 as part of the 1939 “Tall Firs.” The University retired his number, No. 18, and inducted him into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.