Richard "Dick" Molenhouse's partnership with the NCCAA began in 1991 with his participation in the NCCAA Pro-Am. In those days, the Pro-Am event was not the plush, elite environment that would cause one to tell their friends and twist their arms to attend, but that is exactly what Dick did. It became his mission to secure commitments from his Trinity Christian College friends and all the local businessmen that he knew. Rumor has it, that many of these Pro-Am guests came as a result of their entry fee being paid for by "a mysterious donor".
Dick's ability to create meaningful and sustainable relationships was a key to his successful ventures in companies like Waste Management, Inc., Blockbuster, and a variety of stone & brick supply entities. Always a straight-shooter, he was fair, caring and simply enjoyed the daily pursuit of "what was next." Having served on the NCCAA Board of Directors since 2006, he has assisted the association in creating improved business & fiscal practices as a member of the Finance Committee. However, that role is secondary to all the staff as we simply know him as the Chairman of Encouragement. He always has a hug or a kind word to encourage those he does life with and is a major supporter of the NCCAA Prayer Network.
In 2000, that Prayer Network became a critical piece in a battle and challenge as Dick and his wife, Pixie, received a call from their son, Rick, notifying them that Logan, their two-year old grandson, had leukemia. An almost immediate call for the NCCAA Prayer Warriors to begin lifting Logan and the family up to God in our prayers simply displayed what we already knew about this man. He knew prayer worked! Today, fourteen years later, Logan is a 16-year old young man, free of cancer and full of Christ who has now become his grandfather's hope in the next generation. You see, Logan too has the gift of encouragement and the knowledge of prayer working. Those traits seem almost embedded in his DNA and those of us who know Logan's grandfather know where it came from.
Dick & Pixie have been major supporters of the NCCAA for two decades. Through their gifts of their time, talents, and treasures they have impacted over 40 mission trips and helped to insure the NCCAA's future is firm. "Dick Molenhouse simply believes that serving God and taking Christ to the world happens through sport and sports ministry better than most any other conduit," shares Trinity Christian College Athletics Director, Bill Schepel. Long-time friend, Rick Van Dyken, adds, "Dick is simply a Kingdom builder and knows the importance of being a generous leader in the Christian community."
"Dick Molenhouse going into any other athletic Hall of Fame would cause significant laughter and chaos. He cannot run, cannot jump, and cannot break 100! However, the NCCAA's Hall of Fame recognizes those who have made a significant impact in the Kingdom of God via this association. Some earned their spot by their physical efforts, some by their ability to coach and motivate young people, and some simply by giving of themselves so that others within the NCCAA could play, go, and serve. Based upon that last criteria, Dick Molenhouse can go to the top of the class," states Dan Wood, NCCAA Executive Director.
The NCCAA is honored to welcome Richard, "Dick" Molenhouse into the NCCAA Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2014.