Dixon Riggs (2007) - Hall of Fame

Dixon Riggs

Induction:
2007

Between teaching classes and conducting research, the last thing Dixon Riggs needed was an increase to his workload. That, however, is exactly what Riggs took on when he became the University of Northern Iowa’s Faculty Athletics Representative.

Riggs, always a staunch supporter of the Panthers, took on the job with enthusiasm and went on to spend seven years he described as a extremely enjoyable serving the university in that capacity before retiring. That came in 1987 after Riggs had spent 29 years as a professor in the UNI Biology Department, watching the university and the athletics department blossom.

After graduating from St. Mary’s High School in West Virginia, Riggs entered the U.S. Army and spent two years overseas, serving on campaigns in New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan. Having accumulated three years of service during World War II, Riggs returned home and enrolled at Marietta College, receiving a degree before moving on to university study at a number of institutions to ready himself for a teaching career. Following a stop at Huron College in South Dakota, Riggs in 1958 found himself with an assistant professorship at Iowa State Teachers College, which later became State College of Iowa and, eventually, UNI.

A recognized authority in the effects of drugs on the human body, Riggs was often tapped as an expert witness in court proceedings in addition to his duties as a professor. He then added the responsibilities of the Faculty Athletics Representative and worked side-by-side with UNI Athletics Director Bob Bowlsby, attending numerous national conferences and serving as an ambassador for the Panthers.

Riggs was granted emeritus status by the university upon his retirement.