logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Players of the past
B:, sports
June 7, 2023
Players of the past
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR,

Greg Dixon – living lessons taught

A 1985 Checotah graduate, Greg Dixon was one of many players that Hall of Fame coach Ray Grandstaff coached but was the only one that outworked any player Grandstaff had on his teams in any era.

“Greg was as good of a player that I ever coached. He had a terrific attitude and an even greater work ethic. He was here every day to work out and some days he would be waiting on me to open the doors to our workout facility,” said Grandstaff.

Dixon, 6 ft. 2 inches 220 lbs., played several positions like tailback, linebacker or defensive end among others. Checotah and Dixon were very successful in the early and mid 1980’s. The battles with archrival Eufaula were as tough and competitive as any time in history.

Dixon, along with teammates, David Shoemaker and Bill Osmond, were anchors for those Wildcat teams. In 1985, University of Oklahoma recruiter Charlie North came to Checotah. North looked at football film and evaluated players during practice. When North left Checotah, both Dixon and Shoemaker had scholarships to play at Oklahoma.

“North was a great recruiter. He wanted Greg because of his athleticism and flexibility to play different positions,” Grandstaff said.

While at the University of Oklahoma, Dixon played defensive end. He helped Oklahoma win the 1985 National Championship, three Big 8 Championships (1985, 86,87) three Orange Bowl titles and the 1988 Citrus Bowl title. Dixon graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Law. He worked in the Oklahoma City and McIntosh County D.A.’s office and is now the sitting Judge for Cleveland, Garvin and McClain counties. When asked what characteristics he learned from coach Grandstaff that he incorporates in his life today Dixon said, “To be professional at my craft, disciplined and to conduct myself in the proper manner.”

“Coach Grandstaff was a professional. We believed in his program and he brought out the confidence in his players. You could trust and follow him anywhere,” added Dixon. Both of his coaches, high school and college, had a profound effect on Dixon’s life. Both Grandstaff and Dixon’s college coach Barry Switzer are in their respective Hall of Fames.

“I will always remember a quote that Coach Switzer said every day before practice, “Every day you get up, you either get better or you don’t.”

The Checotah Wildcats began a new era of football under new Head coach Chad Hendricks. Dixon had this advice to give to the 2013 Wildcat team, “Prepare like a champion. Not just in athletics but in the classroom, in your home and in the community.”

Dixon was inducted into the Checotah Athletic Hall of Fame this past Fall.

Larry Mitchell named interim city manager of Eufaula
May 8, 2025
At a special meeting Wednesday, May 7, the Eufaula City Council hired Larry Mitchell as interim city manager to replace the city’s most recent interim city manager Andrea Weckmueller-Berhinger who res...
Lake 10 feet above normal, and rising
A: Main, news
Lake 10 feet above normal, and rising
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
May 7, 2025
More than seven inches of rain have fallen during the past week. That, coupled with severe rainfall north and west of McIntosh County, has swollen the Eufaula Lake Level to 595.3 feet, which is 10.3 f...
A: Main, news
Early voting May 8, 9
May 7, 2025
On May 13 there will be a general election for State Senate District 8 and for Green Country Tech Center Proposition. Early voting for those two elections will be at the Mc-Intosh County Courthouse fr...
Council reluctantly supports 2.9 percent utility rate hike
A: Main, news
Council reluctantly supports 2.9 percent utility rate hike
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
May 7, 2025
Utility rates for the City of Eufaula will increase 2.9 percent effective July 1. The City Council approved the increase following a discussion at Monday’s monthly council meeting. Vice Mayor Tisha Mo...
Olivia Shackelford receives Youth Prevention Award
A: Main, news
Olivia Shackelford receives Youth Prevention Award
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
May 7, 2025
Olivia Shackelford became a member of Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) to make a difference in her school and oh what a difference she has made! Olivia affectionately known as Livy to her fri...
news
Cherokee Nation reveals roadwork plan
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
May 7, 2025
Property owners along a five-mile stretch of Texanna Road west of Duchess Creek Bridge were alerted by the Cherokee Nation Department of Transportation last week that a major reconstruction was going ...
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
news
Make a splash, Donate with Our Blood Institute
May 7, 2025
Get ready to dive in and make waves! Make a splash by donating blood with Our Blood Institute this May and June to help save lives! Successful Our Blood Institute donors will receive a limitededition ...
CASA for Children names 2025 Volunteer of the Year
news
CASA for Children names 2025 Volunteer of the Year
May 7, 2025
CASA for Children proudly announces Helen Stemmer as the 2025 CASA Volunteer of the Year. Helen was recognized on April 29 at the nonprofit’s annual Volunteer Appreciation and Awards Banquet with an a...
news
Demo Party to meet
May 7, 2025
The McIntosh County Democratic Party will hold their monthly meeting on May 13 at 6:30 p.m. in Checotah at the Jim Lucas Public Library, 626 W. Gentry Ave.
news
Free 5K and Community Fun Run
May 7, 2025
Join the fun on Saturday, May 24 for a free 5k and Community Fun Run, hosted by Neighbors Building Neighborhoods. Preregister for “Just Glow With It” to save your spot and for a free event t-shirt and...
news
Summer meal program for children
May 7, 2025
Eufaula Public School will be participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided free to children on a first come, first serve basis at the elementary school, 1705 W. J.M. Bailey...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy