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Classmates, teammates, coaches, and family of Thomas Cornick Rixey ’80 gathered Saturday, October 11, for the dedication of the Thomas C. Rixey Scoreboard to tell stories of a friend they lost too soon, and to recall his many attributes: athletically gifted and hardworking, handsome and gregarious, and above all, a loyal, kind friend.

Rixey played goalie for the Bulldogs' lacrosse teams, including for the 1978 team that had an undefeated season and earned the state championship.

“He had everything you’d want in a great goaltender,” said Tinsley Van Durand, who coached the Bulldogs during those years. “Great vision and great hands.”

“He emerged from this school as a confident leader,” said Ran Randolph ’80, who was Rixey’s teammate on the lacrosse and football teams; Rixey played quarterback.

Rixey went on to UVA, where he was a back-up goalie, yet managed to deeply inspire his teammates through his competitive spirit and drive. Rixey passed away in 1986. NA has a graduation award for those who possess Rixey’s attributes, as does the UVA Lacrosse Program.

The dedication was held in the Johnson Theater because of inclement weather, but attendees saw photos of the scoreboard and a new plaque, located on the southeast fields where Bulldog, JO, and JV teams practice and play.

“It warms my heart that generations of young lacrosse players, including my grandsons, will learn to play on fields watched over by the Rixey scoreboard,” said Tom Duquette, who briefly coached Rixey as an assistant coach at UVA, and led the Bulldogs for 38 years, including a run of four straight state titles from 1993-96.