Bio

Midview and its’ predecessors have had storied athletes and coaches, but only one person led the school to six state titles coaching one team, while having success  coaching another sport as well.  For those remarkable accomplishments, and for leaving a lasting legacy at Midview, Dick Bickel has earned induction into the Midview Athletic Hall of Fame.

Bickel arrived in the Midview district in 1964 after graduating from Glenville State College in West Virginia where he had played college basketball for four years.  Dick jumped right into coaching his second year, leading the 7^th grade basketball team.  The following year, Bickel moved to the high school, and became a member of the varsity basketball staff, serving as an assistant coach for several seasons until he was named boys head basketball coach in 1978.  In his very first year at the helm, the Middies won the Lakeland Conference Championship, and Bickel was named the Lorain County Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year.  For seven years, Bickel would guide the Midview program, compiling winning seasons in six of those seven campaigns, while capturing two sectional championships.  Following the 84-85 season, Dick stepped aside from the rigors of coaching to spend more time with family.

In 1970, Bickel formed the Physical Fitness Team at Midview.  The success of that program was astounding.  From 1971 through 1982, the Midview Fitness Team finished either first or second in the state, and in 1984, the Middies won their sixth state championship.  One of the highlights during this remarkable run was in 1975, when Midview not only won the state title, but was ranked #9 in the country. 

Bickel was one of the driving forces behind MAHOF, believing it was critical to recognize those athletes, coaches and teams that brought success and honor to the school district he loved.

Dick Bickel’s career defined coaching.  His work on the hardwood and in physical fitness impacted lives.  This was exemplified in 1981, when Bickel received the Lighthouse Leadership Award from the Midview Schools to honor “major contributors for an extended period of time in leadership roles helping kids”.