Portland State Magazine Fall 2017

FALL 2017 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE 27 "Prior to my arrival on campus, it became my duty to break the record. Unfortunately, I fell a little short, ending my career with four," Aaron says laughing. His dad's career did have a profound effect, though. "I was 12 years old when our father passed away, so I didn't have the privilege of having him at all of my games," says Aaron. In college, he wore his father's number 26 and his actual jersey under his uniform every game. "Mentally this was my way of having him with me during those times." ARTHUR DICKSON "was a 6'2" specimen of fluidity and athletic grace with zero body fat," says Beatty. He earned a free agent tryout with the Dallas Cowboys and roomed with Tony Dorsett for a few days his rookie year in camp. Unable to pass the physical, he spent a couple years playing for the Calgary Stampede and played competitive softball. He'd been drafted by the Kansas City Royals to play baseball out of high school, but chose football until he became too sick to play, says Aubre Dickson. Arthur Dickson worked for United Grocers until the time of his death. "I feel a profound sense of regret and loss that Art's life was cut short while he was in his prime. I know Art and I would not have been able to attend college if not for a football scholarship, and those four years did more to shape my life than any other I can remember," says Beatty. Dickson's qualities as a player and a person "are cherished in the business world. College football teaches boys how to become men, take responsibility for themselves, work through discomfort and pain, never giving up and always striving to win," he says. Aubre remembers his dad as a hardworking guy who was difficult to please. Besides working at United Grocers, Arthur Dickson had a janitorial business. “Both my parents were most concerned with me doing well academically and would reward me with special gifts or treats for making Honor Roll." And, he says, he finds himself doing the same thing with his sons. The first Arthur Dickson Memorial Scholarship was awarded at the start of the 2016 season to running back Mitch Thompson, who head coach Bruce Barnum described as embodying "all the things I want this program to represent … tough, blue-collar football. He works hard, does everything you ask of him, never complains, and sacrifices for the team. He is respectful, leads by example and is a great young man on and off the field." Thompson, originally a walk-on player from Oregon City, will graduate next year with a degree in finance. He described the scholarship as "an incredible honor, even bigger because it's honoring Arthur Dickson, who was such a big part of Portland State's football history. It relieves a lot of financial stress and allows me to continue to play the game I love."— written by John Wykoff ’65, a feature writer for PSU Athletics who worked for the Vanguard as a student. He went on to a 38-year career in public relations in Portland.  GET ALL OF THE LATEST sports news at GoViks.com . Game stories, statistics, schedules and much more are available and updated daily. You can also see live video streaming of games as well as video features on Viking teams. Buy season and single-game tickets online at GoViks.com or call 1-888-VIK- TIKS or 503-725-3307. Aaron Dickson ’09 wore his father's number 26 and his actual jersey under his uniform every game he played for the Vikings from 2005 to 2008.