Commissioner Armstrong is unique in the fact that as a former football coach and member of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame; he is now entering the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. That is a compliment to his career due to his contributions, not only to high school athletics in general but to Ohio High School Basketball in particular. Under his leadership many improvements were made in the administration of regulations and promotion of Ohio basketball.

Dick participated in football, basketball, and baseball at Loudonville High School from where he graduated in 1945. At Baldwin Wallace he participated in football and basketball, graduating with a B.A. degree in 1950. In 1958 he earned his M.A. degree from the University of Akron.

Commissioner Armstrong paid his dues and gained experience as a coach and administrator before moving to the Ohio High School Athletic Association offices in 1973. He started as a teacher at Creston High School in 1950. From Creston he was then employed at Centerburg High School as a teacher and head football coach from 1951-53. He held the same responsibilities at Crestline High School from 1953-55. At Canton McKinley High School he was boys advisor and Assistant Football Coach. At North Canton Hoover from 1959-73 he served as Assistant Football Coach, Director of Guidance, Athletic Director and Principal (1967-73). From Assistant Commissioner, 1973-80, he was appointed Commissioner of the OHSAA in 1980 where he served in that position until retirement in 1990.

Dick’s aim as Commissioner of The Ohio High School Athletic Association was; to conduct a first class program for the membership schools in all programs; to interpret the By-Laws of the constitution as was written; to use common sense and good judgment in all of his decisions. To Dick, his job in working for the Association was a labor of love. During his tenure basketball changed from 3 divisions to 4. That occurred in 1988. The decisions he made were always for the betterment of the game and those who played.

Dick has received many honors during his career aside from the OHSFCA Hall of Fame previously mentioned. Among them are: Baldwin Wallace Hall of Fame, Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame, North Canton Hoover’s Hall of Distinction and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Dick is married to Pat and they have 2 sons, James and Murray, a daughter and son-in-law Susan and Jeff Border with their daughter, Elizabeth Lloyd.