OUTSTANDING ATHLETE

Inductee Year: 2023 | Graduation Year: 1978

Rick Thacker’s family, Parents Clyde and Louise along with his brother Jim and his sister Brenda moved from Springfield when he was 6 years old. Growing up in the Park Layne area Ricky always participated in local sports. He was part of the Pass, Punt and Kick competition and he excelled playing in the Medway Little League coached by his Dad.

Rick began to refine his Basketball skills while he attended New Carlisle Junior High. As Rick continued to advance his scholastic career moving on to Tecumseh High School, he excelled in academics and was part of the National Junior Honor Society.

Ricks High School years at Tecumseh saw his basketball skills lead him to a position on the Reserve Team in his Sophomore year. Rick was to be moved up to the Varsity team, however, due to an injury he had to wait until his Junior year.

At Tecumseh his Junior and Senior year Ricky played in 38 games. (Tecumseh at this time was a 3-year high school and 3 point shooting did not exist). A few of his Basketball stats and current standings in Tecumseh basketball history: CareerPoints scored 725 - 16th all time for THS; averaged 22 points per game and is 6th overall at THS; career high was 38 points against West Carrolton which ties him with Wayne Embry for 5th at THS; career high in a quarter is 18 against Springfield South which is 4th in THS history and tied with Andy Arnott and Malik Quisenberry. With His 6’ 6” frame, Rick was a crowd pleaser when he “Slam-Dunked” the basketball. Rick averaged 55% field goal shooter. Average free throws at 71.2%.Rebounds – 477 in 2 years for 4th in THS history; most rebounds in a season 243 and is tied for 8th all-time at THS; season average rebounds his Jr year 12.8 per game and Sr year 13 per game which is 6th and 7th in THS history.

During the last game of his Senior year Rick suffered a knee injury that kept him from playing in the AAA district Tournament. In Basketball he was voted “Most Valuable Player” and MCC 1st team all-league both Junior and Senior Year. His Senior year he was selected Journal Herald Area All Star Team; MCC co-player of the year and “The Very First Clark County Mr. Basketball."

After graduation from Tecumseh in 1978 Rick was recruited by many Colleges including North Carolina before signing a letter of intent to play for Wright State University while he recovered from knee surgery.

Ricks Pride and Passion was Tecumseh Basketball. Tecumseh at the time was only a three-year high school, so Ricky played just 2 years! With that being said it makes Ricky’s basketball Stats AMAZING!

Sadly, Ricky passed away in 1994. Ricky has 2 daughters, Angela and Ashley, 6 Grand Children and 2 Great Grand Children along with his Sister Brenda who all are Proud of him and miss him greatly. The Family wishes to Thank the Tecumseh Athletic Hall of Fame for their acknowledgment of Ricks accomplishment’s. Ricky would be very Honored as is his family.