Tide Men's Golf Coach Announces His Retirement
7/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
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TUSCALOOSA – After nearly 20 years working with the University of Alabama golf programs, Crimson Tide head men’s golf coach Dick Spybey has decided to retire from collegiate golf coaching.
“I want to first thank all of the administrators who were responsible for giving me the opportunity to coach at the University of Alabama for the past 18 years,” said Spybey who arrived in Tuscaloosa as a graduate assistant men’s golf coach in 1984 and quickly worked his way into the administration’s respect as he was named the Tide women’s head coach in January 1985 and was moved into the men’s head coaching position in 1988. “I will take away many positive memories. I have gone places that many people only dream of going to and I have learned much through my many travels. But my family has sacrificed so much for me during those years that I feel that it is time to give back to them. It’s time for me to be at home more as a husband and a father.”
Spybey leaves in good standing an Alabama program that he built into a national power, one that has continually produced NCAA tournament teams, All-Southeastern Conference golfers, Academic All-Americans, and PGA and professional mini-tour players.
In 1992, his collegiate coaching peers voted Spybey “National Coach of the Year”. He was also voted SEC and District Coach of the Year in both men’s and women’s golf during his coaching career. His impact on the national coaching scene has been a strong one. In 1997 he was named manager of the first United States Palmer Cup Team (collegiate golf’s international equivalent to the PGA’s Ryder Cup) and he served as the Palmer Cup Tournament Director in 1998 for the event held at St. Andrews, Scotland, home of many British Opens. The 1984 Ohio Wesleyan graduate served as the National President of the Golf Coaches Association of America from 1996-98. He produced collegiate golf’s Ben Hogan national award winner in 1993 and has advanced Alabama teams and individuals to the NCAA tournament nine times since 1991, including this past season in May 2002. His stint with the women was equally successful as his 1987 team finished 9th in the nation.
“Those closest to me know that my heart has been leaning this way for some time now,” said Spybey. “I wanted to leave the program in good shape and after another NCAA appearance it appears it is there. Several years ago we set goals for a new course and new practice facilities. We wanted to reinforce our budget through a booster club and add a golf hostess program. Also, we wanted to host a true home tournament to honor our former coach (Conrad Rehling). It makes me feel good that all of those things are finally in place.”
In addition to excelling on the course, Alabama’s golfers have excelled in the classroom. Along with producing 18 All-SEC golfers and three All-Americans, Spybey has produced five Academic All-Americans and 49 Academic All-SEC golfers since 1993. Alabama has also annually hosted a spring and fall tournament, the Jerry Pate National and the Conrad Rehling Alabama Spring Intercollegiate. His knack for detail as an administrator has shone in both, particularly the JPNI which brings together a field that primarily consists of the nation’s top ranked teams and defending national champions and has a selection board that has included PGA greats Arnold Palmer, Ben Crenshaw, Mark McCormack and event namesake, Jerry Pate.
“I just want to say how much we appreciate Coach Spybey and his contributions to this athletics department over the years,” said Alabama Director of Athletics Mal Moore. “He is as class a man as I’ve ever been around. We will miss him as a coach. And we will always be proud of his work here, the production of NCAA tournament teams and individuals as well as academic All-Americans.”
Adds Spybey, “I will miss the players the most. As I reflect back, that’s why I coached this long. I have learned that coaching is not just wins and losses. It’s about building relationships and trying to make a difference in young people’s lives. Early on I did not always remember that, therefore, of all those that I need to thank, I must thank God the most for changing my life. I truly look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
