SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 625
In Memory
of
William Taylor Dykes
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of William Taylor "Spike" Dykes, the
celebrated former Texas Tech University football coach, who died
March 10, 2017, at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, William Dykes was born on March 14, 1938, in
Lubbock, Texas; he developed a love for sports at an early age,
and he became a star center for the Ballinger High School
Bearcats; and
WHEREAS, Spike Dykes spent more than a decade as a coach at
several Texas high schools, and he joined the Texas Tech Red
Raiders as an assistant coach in 1984; two years later, he took over
as head coach just before the Raiders' 1986 bowl game; over the
course of his legendary career as head coach, he led the Raiders to
an additional six bowl games; the Raiders had played in only one
bowl game in the eight years prior to his leadership; and
WHEREAS, Coach Dykes guided the Raiders to more at-home
wins than any coach in the team's history at that time, and he
ended his storied career at Texas Tech University with an 82-67-1
record; he was a three-time Southwest Conference Coach of the
Year, and he was named Big 12 Coach of the Year for 1996; he was
inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame the week of his 70th
birthday; and
WHEREAS, Spike Dykes was a loving husband and father; in
addition to his skill as a coach, he was known for his quick wit,
his warm and gracious nature, and his folksy storytelling; he was
a treasured Texan and a cherished friend, even to some of his
fiercest competitors on the field, and his legacy as a beloved
coach and father figure to many will never be forgotten; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of William Taylor "Spike" Dykes; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Spike Dykes.
Perry
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 18, 2017, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate