Western New Mexico University Athletics

Dick King, Class of 1950, transferred to Western New Mexico University after two years as a starter on the Purdue University basketball team. He was the leading scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker in both of his basketball seasons at WNMU and was twice named to the first team all-conference team. Not just a scorer, King was also known as an excellent passer and unselfish team player.

Hank Balke, who coached King at WNMU, describes King as the “best all-around player I coached in my 35-plus years coach.”

King was an all-state high school selection in Indiana and was later picked as a member of the Indiana Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary team.

King continued his association with basketball as a coach, winning over 80 percent of his games at Rincon High School in Tucson, Arizona. His teams won ten city and conference championships and one state championship.

King left coaching in 1968 to become athletic director. He retired in 1983 and remains in Tucson.