Dick Perry

Richard Herbert Perry (July 13, 1929 – October 19, 2014) was an American coach and administrator who was the Long Beach State men's basketball coach from 1960 to 1967 and athletic director at USC from 1975 to 1984 and UC Riverside from 1987 to 1992.

Playing and coaching A standout basketball player at Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach, California, Perry attended the College of Emporia, where he lettered in basketball four years and two years each in football, baseball, and track. After graduating, he coached high school basketball in Mayetta, St. John, and Hays, Kansas. He returned to CoE in 1956 as basketball and baseball coach.

In 1958, Perry became the assistant men's basketball coach and freshman football coach at Long Beach State. In 1960, he was promoted to head basketball coach. He coached Long Beach's first three basketball stars – John Rambo, Dave Jones, and Bill Florentine. From 1960 to 1967, Perry compiled an overall record of 82–96.

Administration In 1967, Perry completed his PhD at the University of Southern California and was offered a position on the faculty. Under Perry, the Trojans men's teams won eight national titles in six sports (football, baseball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball). The women's teams captured twelve national championships in three sports (basketball, tennis and volleyball).

In 1987, Perry became the athletic director at UC Riverside. As AD, he worked to improve the school's athletic facilities, sought to increase community involvement in the athletic program, and brought local business leaders together in an unsuccessful attempt to move UCR to NCAA Division I. He retired in 1992.

Later life Perry remained involved in civic endeavors in Riverside, which included serving as president of the executive board of the Riverside Sport Hall of Fame. He died on October 19, 2014 of a stroke and heart attack.