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| April 5 , 2005
40th Anniversary Edition |
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| John D. Riggs was always very active on MCC’s campus. From the politics of the school because of his position as the first executive dean, to the athletic department, Rigg’s legacy will live on at MCC. “He ... built the college on caring and supporting success.” |
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MCC Photo Archives |
Not just the name of stadium
Mike Morgan
Mesa Legend
John D. Riggs was Mesa Community College’s first executive dean, yet many students have never heard the name before, let alone knew who he was.
Allen Benedict, who works for the Office of Development at Mesa Community College and was hired by Riggs in the ’70s, said Riggs had a different approach to doing things on campus and got to know the students very well by going around campus often to visit people and classes.
“He was a very unique individual in that he managed the college (MCC) out of the office,” rather than from behind a desk, Benedict said. Riggs even traveled on the bus to football road games and got to know the athletes.
“He was a very special person and built the college on caring and supporting success,” Benedict said.
Many students do not even seem to know who he is though, and that is of concern to Benedict.
Riggs was responsible for the hiring of another MCC icon, Theo Heap, as the athletic director for whom the gymnasium on campus is named.
Riggs cared about people and the students here, especially their success, and yet very few people remember who he was or what he accomplished here, Benedict said.
Fewer people still know Riggs lived in Mesa at the time he was executive dean of MCC or that, according to Benedict, that he was involved in the community and his church deeply.
During Riggs’ tenure, he never missed a single Mesa Community College football game, Benedict said.
Riggs had a love for football and athletics in general, according to Benedict, and that is why the football stadium is named after him.
Riggs also had an extensive background in sports.
For instance, Riggs was a star basketball player and an All-State quarterback at Mesa High School many years ago.
Riggs also pitched for the University of Arizona and was a baseball coach for Phoenix College for a time.
He was also a football official on a non-professional level at one point.
Riggs’ love for sports was evident in the way he ran the sports programs at MCC.
Riggs was also very well known as a family man and spent a great deal of time with his wife and children.
This campus became like an extended family to Riggs and he treated students and faculty like they were his actual family.
Even after retirement, Benedict said, Riggs came to some football games despite a battle with cancer.
Benedict said that he believes that Riggs’ legacy at Mesa Communtiy College will go on, despite students and others lacking knowledge about this man who had such a profound impact on the college in his time here.
Now, students will realize that the name of the stadium on the far side of campus has more meaning than just the name of an unknown man.
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