KINTA – Reps. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, and Neil Hays today responded to the death of Checotah Wildcats Hall of Fame basketball Coach Truman Dixon, who passed away March 9, at the age of 99.

“To some, he was Coach. To others, he was Dad, Grandpa, or simply a dear friend,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.

“Coach Dixon was more than a coach, he was a legend, a pillar of Oklahoma high school basketball and a mentor to generations of athletes. His impact on the game and the players he shaped was felt far and wide.

“In the late 1960s and early ’70s, he led both boys’ and girls’ teams to state tournament finals, claiming the coveted gold ball in 1969. Even decades later, wherever he went, former coaches, administrators and players would stop to shake his hand and pay their respects. And the referees always had a Coach Dixon story to tell. Through it all, he remained humble, always reminding everyone that it was players, not coaches, who won games.

“Coach Dixon’s legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched. He will be deeply missed, but his influence on the game, and on the people who knew and loved him, will never fade.

“Our heartfelt prayers go out to his family and friends. Rest in peace, Coach; you were truly an Oklahoma icon.”