Norm Dicks comes through in pinch for UW ceremony

Nearly 50 years ago, Norm Dicks learned the importance of substituting from the bench for the University of Washington Huskies. Now he's planning to do the same again for his alma mater — except this time with words instead of tackles.

The UW announced Monday that Congressman Dicks, D-Bremerton, will speak at the June 9 commencement in Husky Stadium. The school had been scrambling to find a speaker since efforts to secure at least one big-name candidate foundered because of a scheduling conflict.

Dicks said he'd earlier been enlisted by the UW to try to help lock in a potential speaker — "one particular person I know."

But with options running out by late last week, Dicks himself took a call from UW President Mark Emmert.

"He said, 'We need you to do this,' and I said 'I'd be honored.' " Dicks said. "When I played for Washington, I had to come off the bench occasionally. I'm happy to do it. It's nothing unusual for me."

Both Dicks and UW officials declined to name earlier candidates for the role. About 4,500 students are expected to participate in this year's ceremony, while 35,000 friends and family members will watch from the stands.

Dicks, 66, said he's not yet written a speech but will no doubt discuss the importance of public service. He said he's proud of his association with the UW, which remains an "incredibly important" institution for the state.

He said he would not personally accept the $10,000 honorarium for the speech but instead would donate it to a program within the UW, as long as that conforms with the latest House ethics rules.

Dicks began playing football for the Huskies as a sophomore and was a starting linebacker and guard on the team for three years, making it to the Rose Bowl in 1961. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1963 and a law degree in 1968.

Nick Perry: 206-515-5639 or nperry@seattletimes.com