For a community to truly thrive, it needs leaders like the late Bill Riddle.
When Bill passed in June, I thought at length of my interactions with him. He had a tremendous smile, a twinkle in his eye, and a memorable laugh. His wife, Janie, was his rock. Team Riddle has left an indelible mark on the Valley sports scene, a legacy that transcends mere words. A Bill Riddle “yes” was a “yes,” and his “no” was his “no.” Unfortunately, I didn’t get to really know Bill until I joined the National Football Foundation Valley of the Sun Chapter back in 2017. (I hope the chapter is renamed after Bill). We had great conversations about football, and he was also an encourager. He watched me grow Sports360az and would pull me aside from time to time to talk about new sponsors, partners, and to keep on going with my vision. He voiced his frustration over former Sun Devil great Curley Culp not being in the College Football Hall of Fame. (I might pick up the baton on that one). In the dark days of the Herm Edwards era, we had several chats about the nonsense that was going on. Bill was a “Go Devils” guy, but didn’t care much for dark clouds over the football program during that time. As one story was told to me, Bill had my back when I wasn’t in the room at a National Football Foundation board meeting. Someone questioned why I wasn’t in attendance. The story goes that Bill let that person have it and left the room to get a beer. You want those kinds of people in your circle. I’m fortunate that Bill was in mine.
Bill and his family were original Phoenix Cardinals season ticket holders. He and Janie were among the cornerstone figures in building the Fiesta Bowl. In speaking with those who were in the Bowl from that era, the common theme was that the hospitality that the Riddles showed to national media who were assigned to Phoenix to cover the Bowl was invaluable. The message that was taken back to cities around the country was that the warmth and kindness of media hospitality experienced was second to none. He graduated from Arizona State in 1965. Season tickets to Sun Devil football games are still in the family to this day.
Janie asked me to speak at Bill’s memorial last month. As I prepared, I visited the Valle Luna Restaurant in Chandler to observe the community and its walls. Bill and his mother, Rita, opened the popular Valley brand in the 80s. To this day, the walls are filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of youth team pictures that they agreed to sponsor. How many kids who had the door opened to sports through Bill, I couldn’t tell you. Just walk in sometime to any of their four locations and see for yourself. He supported the LPGA when the event was held at Moon Valley Country Club and served on many, many community initiatives.
I’ve written and spoken about how a statue for Jerry Colangelo in downtown Phoenix should happen. Sounds like the Mayor of the City doesn’t agree, which is too bad. Perhaps egos will be put aside, and things will be made right on that front. Bill Riddle should be in the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame or honored in a manner that is appropriate for his legacy.
Without him, would the National Football Foundation Valley Chapter get off the ground? It’s now been a staple in the Valley for over 40 years. Ask current NFL players like Brock Purdy, Tyler Shough, Bijan Robinson, and others how the NFFaz impacted them? Arizona State football assistant coaches Charlie Ragle, Jason Mohns, and Shaun Aguano all attended Bill’s memorial service. Bill loved the high school game and cared about the coaches. So, my case for Bill Riddle is pretty simple. A Hall of Fame should have a place for people who did the heavy lifting in the community off the field to support those who went on to greatness. 
Bill won’t be forgotten. We will make sure of that…
The post Why the Valley sports scene should honor Bill Riddle… first appeared on Sports360AZ.
