An on-campus service for Loyola competitive cheer and dance coach Rickey Hill, who suddenly passed away in September, will be Tuesday, Oct. 19 in Ignatius Chapel
Loyola competitive dance and cheerleading head coach Rickey Hill unexpectedly passed away Monday, Sept. 20, leaving the Loyola community in shock on the day students, faculty and staff resumed normal operations, post-Hurricane Ida.
The on-campus service will be Tuesday, October 19th at 1 p.m. in Ignatius Chapel, which will include testimonials from cheer and dance student-athletes, as well as a memorial video produced by the team. The service will also be live-streamed here - https://bit.ly/3FsGPI0
Hill, 54, coached the Wolf Pack cheer and dance programs, which began competition in 2016, leading both programs to academic and athletic excellence throughout his tenure. The dance team won four straight Southern States Athletic Conference championships and earned four berths to the NAIA National Championship, finishing a program-best eighth nationally last season. Hill also coached four NAIA Dance All-Americans during his time, as well as coaching the cheer team to its first-ever national championship appearance in 2020.
In addition to being the head coach for the Wolf Pack, Hill also served as the Chair of the Southern States Athletic Conference for competitive cheer and dance and is the 2nd Vice President of the NAIA Competitive Cheer Coaches Association. He was also chosen as one of the members of the SFE (Striving for Equality) Place Committee, which was launched in August of 2020 by the SSAC in response to racial and social injustices in America.
Hill, a native of Mount Holly, North Carolina, dedicated more than 36 years of his life to cheerleading and 30 years to both cheer and dance. He was a member of the Methodist University cheer team from 1985-1990 before earning his first coaching job at Winthrop University in 1992. Between then and now, Hill made coaching stops at James Madison University, Virginia Tech and his alma mater before heading up the Wolf Pack inaugural program.
Wolf Pack Athletics Remembers Rickey Hill
Brett Simpson, Athletic Director
Rickey had such an impact on our student-athletes, staff, and community. He was a dear friend to many and taught us so much about life. He had the ability to bring people of all backgrounds together. We will miss him.
Tiffany Willis, Loyola Competitive Dance and Cheer Assistant Coach
Rickey has taught me so much over the years. He has taught me how to be a better coach and a better human being. He was more than my colleague, but he was my friend and family. To know Rickey was to love him. He truly spread joy to every person he came in contact with. I could go on for hours about how amazing he was, but the last thing I will say is that Rickey touched each one of our lives for the better and I will forever be grateful to have known him.
Stacy Hollowell, Loyola Men's Basketball Head Coach
Rickey was a fantastic person. He cared for people genuinely, had a great sense of humor, and could always bring out a smile.
Kellie Kennedy, Loyola Women's Basketball Head Coach
Rickey was just such a sweet person. He always did the sweetest things for my daughter, Raleigh. Each season when my team played in our School Day Game, where we invite local schools to attend during the school day, Rickey always made sure Raleigh had enough pom poms for her and all of her friends! He was always remembering her with sweet gestures and treats! We all miss him so much, but were lucky to know him!
Kristen Seigenthaler, Loyola Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
Rickey was such an incredible coach and person! He always seemed to know what was needed. Just last season, I lost my grandfather. Nobody really knew about it, but somehow, out of nowhere, I received a text message from him. I am not sure how he found out, but those were the little things (actually the big things) that Rickey was about. He had an incredible personality, one that could just pick you up when you were down. He was a really good guy and he will truly be missed. He will always be a Wolf.
Timothy Kettenring, Athletics and University Sports Complex Coordinator
I think my fondest memory of Rickey is that he was one of the best huggers I've ever met, and that spoke volumes about what was in his heart and who he was as a person.
Matt Llewellyn, Loyola Men's and Women's Tennis Head Coach
Rickey was and always will be one of my favorite people at Loyola. I feel very fortunate to have known him as a coach and friend.
Jesse Zabal, Loyola Volleyball Head Coach
I will miss Rickey tremendously. You can tell how much he cared for all of us in the way that he would randomly call just to see how you had been doing, how he'd reach out to see how his team could support during the season, and how he was always looking for the next opportunity to get everyone together to spend time away from the busyness of work. I'll miss having him stop by my office, showing me pictures of his dogs, and chatting about his latest recruiting/coaching adventure. He was an incredible coach, colleague, friend, and dog dad. I am so grateful to have known him.
Thomas Natal, Loyola Men's and Women's Swim Head Coach
Ricky was a bright light in this world. His smile would light up a room, and he was a friend to everyone who knew him. I am grateful I had the opportunity to know and call him a friend. He made an impact in my life as well as many others, and I look forward to one day seeing him again.
Andrew Goff, Loyola Men's and Women's Golf Head Coach
-€‹-€‹Rickey was one of the first coaches I met when I interviewed at Loyola. We went on to share an office together my first two years here and spent many mornings talking about our players and teams, and about life outside Loyola. He was always there for a laugh as well as some coaching advice. He will certainly be missed.
Damali Thomas, Loyola Assistant Athletics Director
In the brief time I've gotten to spend with Rickey, I can truly say that every conversation we had was warm and joyful. It's been a pleasure to have gotten to share the moments we've had during my time here and I know his light will live on in all the people he's touched.
Camal Petro, Director of Athletics Communications
He was genuine with every word he spoke and he was always concerned about me on a personal level. He never left a conversation without a smile, and that's something I'll miss about Rickey. He truly wanted what was best for everyone in his life
