Watch: Family, friends celebrate the life of Arizona Wildcats legend Dick Tomey
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Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
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Video clips from former Arizona head coach Dick Tomey's funeral service at McKale Center.
“He didn’t teach or coach you, he molded you”
Updated
Ced Dempsey, former Arizona athletic director, speaks during a public memorial service for the late University of Arizona head football coach, Dick Tomey, on May 31, 2019, inside McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.
Friday morning was a time to honor and celebrate the life of former Arizona Wildcats head coach Dick Tomey.
Tomey passed away at 80 years old earlier in May following a five-month battle with lung cancer. He was the head coach at the UA over 14 seasons from 1987-2000 and became the all-time winningest head coach in program history with a 95-64-4 record.
Known for his ability to bring people from different backgrounds together, his passion for football and genuine love for the ones he cared about, thousands of Tomey's family members, friends, former players and colleagues gathered at McKale Center Friday morning to honor Tomey.
Here are a few video clips from a moving and emotional funeral service for Tomey.
Utah athletic director and former UA football manager Mark Harlan
UpdatedFormer UA football manager and current Utah AD Mark Harlan: "Football isn't complicated, people are. There was nobody better at loving complicated people than Coach Tomey."
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019
Mark Harlan: “I love you, Coach Tomey. Aloha.” pic.twitter.com/6rSt0rmrSc
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019
UA president Robert Robbins
UpdatedUA President Robert Robbins on Dick Tomey and the Desert Swarm defense: pic.twitter.com/yIORUYBBwT
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019
Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo
UpdatedNavy head coach and former Hawaii player Ken Niumatalolo gets emotional talking about Dick Tomey. pic.twitter.com/tz3jNHjKAm
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) May 31, 2019
Dick Vermeil
UpdatedFormer UCLA and NFL coach Dick Vermeil on the uniqueness of how Dick Tomey coached: “He didn’t teach or coach you, he molded you.” pic.twitter.com/cR5oUN9lB1
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019
Former Arizona RB Kelvin Eafon
UpdatedFormer Arizona standout (1996-98) Kelvin Eafon on Dick Tomey’s ability to bring people together: pic.twitter.com/42NFtfCu6F
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019
Former Arizona DL Joe Salave'a
UpdatedJoe Salave’a says anytime Dick Tomey visited the Polynesian islands to recruit, everyone would greet and acknowledge him. “That’s powerful. ... You would’ve thought he had some Polynesian in him.” pic.twitter.com/F7giLLH5f0
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019
Chuck Cecil
UpdatedFormer UA standout @chuckcecil26 shares one of his favorite Dick Tomey stories. pic.twitter.com/1MIIFif1k1
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019
#ArizonaWildcats great @chuckcecil26 chokes up talking about UA legend Dick Tomey. pic.twitter.com/ixQVufkGK3
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) May 31, 2019
Tomey's daughter, Angie
UpdatedDick Tomey’s daughter, Angie, on her father: pic.twitter.com/6jLjxOCbOc
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019
Tomey's son, Rich
UpdatedDick Tomey’s son, Rich, on his father: “He was truly a man that cared.” pic.twitter.com/ROp5wEJYcT
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) May 31, 2019
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
