Rick Bent, Conestoga HS class of 1971, was inducted posthumously into the TE/Conestoga Hall of Fame at the 2014 banquet.

 

Rick’s football career got off to a tough start as he was injured his junior year at Conestoga when he had pins in his knee and had to stay home with a squawk box to listen to classes. As a senior, Rick played offensive and defensive tackle.  His friends recall he was athletic and worked very hard to become one of the best.

 

He decided to further his education at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO where he was a four-year letter winner at nose guard from 1973 to 1976.  He earned NAIA All-American honorable mention in 1975 and twice received All Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honors (first team in 1975 and second team in 1976).

 

This young man who was a walk-on in 1973 was inducted into the Fort Lewis Hall of Fame in 2011.  “He exhibited leadership qualities both verbally and by example,” said a former teammate.  “He always encouraged his teammates.”  His family recalls also that Rick’s positive spirit and sense of humor naturally lead him to being one of the team’s best motivators.

 

Rick signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1977 following the completions of his undergraduate education.  He later received a master’s degree in education from Northern Arizona University in 1987 where he also coached the football team.

 

Unfortunately, Rick died in 2009 of colon cancer.

 

In honor of his perseverance and tremendous football career, his family, high school classmates, college teammates and friends have donated funds to the TE Conestoga Football Association establishing the Rick Bent Perseverance Scholarship.