Mr. Gatti’s Showdown: Spotlighting RISD legend Bob Dubey

GattisShowdown2Longtime Richardson ISD Athletic Director Bob Dubey is this week’s Mr. Gatti’s Showdown Spotlighted Legendary Player. Dubey announced his retirement in March, but has committed to staying with the district through December to help with the transition process. The longtime Richardson educator was named the Athletics Director of the Year by the National Foundation of Football’s Gridiron Club of Dallas in 2012 and was honored with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators’ Association State Award. He is also a member of the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association Hall of Honor, and was named the Athletic Director of the Year twice by the organization. Dubey will be honored with a plaque at the Richardson vs. Pearce game Friday night, and will do the coin toss prior to the game. “I can tell you that I’m really humbled and honored by it,” Dubey said. “As far as the rivalry, I think it’s really special that Dave Campbell’s is recognizing it." “This game is huge for both schools, and can make or break their year based on a win or loss. It’s hard to put it into words what it means, but it is a special, special week for sure.” Dubey has been with Richardson ISD as a student-athlete, teacher, coach and athletic director for more than 40 years, and recalled his time as both a player and a coach at Richardson high school in the rivalry’s younger days. “It was always a must-win if you were involved with that program,” Dubey said. “When I was even playing, it was unheard of that you would allow your arch-rival to beat you. It just kind of continued through the years. It’s been a big game, and as far as I know it will never lose its luster.” Dubey was a linebacker on the Richardson varsity squad in 1971 and ’72 during the early days of the backyard brawl rivalry when the Eagles consistently held the upper hand over Pearce. “We controlled the game my years of playing – we had the upper hand, and it was never real close,” Dubey said. It wasn’t until Dubey graduated high school and returned to Richardson as a coach that the rivalry game began to intensify. As the Eagles’ defensive coordinator in the late 70’s and early 80’s, Dubey said there were several knockdown, drag-outs and shootouts on the field. “Pearce had never beat Richardson, and they ended up tying us in either ’83 or ’84 – that was humbling for the Richardson Eagles,” Dubey said. “About two years after that, I believe Pearce got their first victory. It was huge for Pearce.” Things are a little different now, as the teams have evened out over the years. Both Richardson and Pearce enter their 2016 matchup with new head coaches looking to grab both their first win in the rivalry and their first district wins in a tough District 9-6A. Pearce’s offensive guru – David Collins – will square off against the defensive mind of Richardson’s Greg Pels in what Dubey expects to be an entertaining game. “You’re seeing an offense and a defense come together and collide,” Dubey said. “I don’t know if they have the same talent level to keep the game real close, but it’s going to be real interesting as those coaches work towards that first district win. They’ll pull out all the stops, and I truly believe it will be a very interesting game.”