DATE: Wednesday, August 20, 1997            TAG: 9708200632

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Column 

SOURCE: Bob Molinaro 

                                            LENGTH:   74 lines

DICK PRICE STADIUM HAS CLASS, LIKE THE EX-COACH

Dick Price can't remember where he was when he heard that Norfolk State's new football stadium would bear his name. He can't recall who it was who first gave him the news.

But he hasn't forgotten his reaction.

``I cried,'' he says.

Now it's less than two weeks before the official opening of William ``Dick'' Price Stadium. A Norfolk State booster of long standing approaches Price, the school's director of athletics.

``Your stadium's beautiful,'' says the booster.

``It's not my stadium,'' Price counters good naturedly. ``It's the state's stadium.''

``Well, it's got your name on it,'' the booster says, ``so it's your stadium.''

Price shrugs and smiles almost in spite of himself. Just as he smiles everytime he passes the on-campus structure that will seat about 30,000 for football.

``It's a blessing,'' he says.

It's no mystery why the stadium would be named for Price. Those three consecutive CIAA football championships in the mid-'70s set him apart. In 10 years, he became the school's winningest football coach.

The track circling the football field recalls some of Price's other credentials. He put Norfolk State on the map in track, leading the school to Division II national titles in '73 and '74, and producing Steve Riddick and Anthony Hall, U.S. Olympians.

He accomplished this under rather unusual conditions, to say the least. In those days, Norfolk State did not have a track. Price's athletes trained on sidewalks and along Corprew Avenue. Imagine relay teams practicing baton handoffs while sucking up bus fumes. Yet Price never let this stand in the way of excellence.

``I think I made a little contribution in a few different areas,'' he says today. ``Maybe that's why they named the stadium after me. All I know is I'm happy.''

He's been A.D. since 1989, working out of Joe Echols Hall, the basketball arena named for another Spartan coach.

It's a good idea naming college facilities after valued people, especially if they are still around to enjoy the moment.

``This,'' Price says on a tour of the stadium, sweeping his eyes over the gleaming aluminum bleachers and fresh green paint, ``is a classy place.''

As befits the man it is named after.

Price, who turns 63 next month, was born and raised on the west side of Norfolk, in Lambert's Point. He would go on to captain the football and track teams at Booker T. Washington. But some of his fondest memories are of the pickup games played at Bluebird Park between the students from Booker T. and the Maury High kids, the white kids.

In segregation days, only the sandlot games brought together Norfolk's best young talent, black and white.

``No problems whatsoever between us,'' Price assures.

But, then, Price has never looked for problems, real or imagined. ( No track? Fine. Then he'll take to the streets.) Fresh opportunities and new friends interest him more. It's what makes him a vital influence in the community beyond the Norfolk State campus.

In some ways, he's still the kid at Bluebird Park, looking to include everyone in the game. And expecting the same chance for himself.

``This is Tidewater's team,'' he says, looking up at the Spartan's new home. ``There's no sign that says black or white. Everybody's tax money is going into this place. No need to drive to Charlottesville or William and Mary for a game. We have room for everyone here.''

Room for everyone at Dick Price's stadium. No, it's not actually his stadium. But it seems like a better place with his name on it. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

RICHARD L. DUNSTON/The Virginian-Pilot

Dick Price smiles everytime he passes the on-campus structure that

will seat about 30,000 for football. ``It's a blessing,'' he says.

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