Rick Hayden
Rick Hayden - Valley High School – Class of 1975
Athletic Hall of Fame Induction 2016
Rick Hayden was an outstanding athlete for the Valley Terriers in the mid-1970s. He lettered twice in football and three times in basketball in his high school career. However, basketball was his passion and the exploits of Rick and his teammates during the 1974-75 season were truly outstanding.
During Rick’s junior year, the basketball team finished with a 5-14 record. At the conclusion of that season, Rick and his teammates made a pact to make their senior season great. With that in mind, the team played basketball year-around in preparation for their senior season. As they had planned, the Terrier basketball team turned things completely around and finished the 1974-75 season with a 14-8 record. Rick was an outstanding scorer in high school. He earned 1st Team All Conference honors and made the Lincoln Journal Star’s All State Basketball Team his senior year. He also held the Valley High School Basketball records for points in a game (48), free throws made in a game (14), consecutive free throws made (24), and free throw percentage for a season (84%).
Even with all of the individual honors Rick received, his favorite high school basketball memories revolve around his team and teammates. Rick stated, “I hope the guys on my team would remember me as a good teammate. We were very close friends and it felt great to have some success together.” Rick’s other great basketball memory was highlighted by senior teammate Ken Argintean’s 24 rebounds against Gretna in the second game of their senior year. Valley beat Gretna that night in double overtime. Gretna had beaten Valley badly twice during the previous season. “Coach Seawards made the game fun for us,” described Rick. “We were undersized and played an up-tempo style which allowed us to reach our potential. He got a lot out of us.”
After high school, Rick went on to marry his high school sweetheart, Laurie and they have been married for 39 years. He and Laurie have three adult children; Amy (Peyton) Lewis, Jill (Adam) Lamprecht, Chad (Megan) Hayden, and 7 grandchildren. He currently owns and operates Rick’s Meats retail meat market in Elkhorn.
Please welcome back to Valley and Douglas County West High School, Hall of Famer, Rick Hayden!