Dick Pope was born on July 8, 1944 in Saginaw, Michigan the youngest of 5 children born to Al & Mary Pope.
He started his education at South Elementary and after moving to south Saginaw he attended Jesse Rouse, Webber Jr. High, and graduated from Saginaw High School in 1962.
He was involved in sports at an early age playing baseball and basketball in various church and city league activities. He played baseball in city knothole leagues where his 15 and under Sun Lumber team became State Champs in 1959.
At Saginaw High School he earned 6 letters playing football and baseball all 3 years. He also captured the MVP for baseball his senior year.
After high school he played city league baseball, basketball & football off & on through 1975 while taking classes at Delta College and working various jobs.
The army kept him busy from March 1966 through March 1968 serving much of his time in Korea. After serving his country he returned to Saginaw, married Jan (Butler) in 1968, and returned to studies at Northwood Institute while working in his swimming pool chemical business, R&G Cleanser.
In 1968 he achieved 2nd place in the City Baseball Federation while batting .387 and later came back to be the top hitter in 1970 with a .457 in the league.
While playing ball at Northwood in 1973, Dick was honored with a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All Conference Team Northwood Institute Award.
After settling down in Bridgeport, Dick was well on his way to coaching baseball in 1980 with a 13 and under baseball team in the Bridgeport Recreational League where he coached kids up to the 15 and under bracket before forming the 1st American Legion 16 and under league in the state of Michigan. He last coached a team in 1998.
During his years as a coach, his teams were State Champs in the Michigan Recreation & Park Association in 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998 and a runner-up trophy in 1986. They were also American Legion State Champs in 1992, 1993, and 2nd place in 1990.
In 1991 Dick received the State of Michigan Outstanding Coaches Award.
In 1994, 1995 and 1998 the 16 and under American Legion National Regional Tournaments were hosted in Bridgeport thanks to Dick and his great crew of workers. This was the highest that 16 and under American Legion Baseball goes.
Dick also took his turn coaching baseball and being assistant coach at the high school level, while running clinics and workouts throughout the year.
He was no stranger to 9 and under age groups either – coaching basketball and baseball when needed.
In 1996 Dick and Jan received a certificate of Commendation from Governor Engler for Community Service because of their involvement with kids, coaching, and projects in the community.
With his involvement in sports, his work with the banquet program while at TBF, and his experience as a salesman, he could serve well as a board member for SCSHOF.
