sports spotlight: spence rigdon

Spence Rigdon

Spence Rigdon with former Bartlesville High School head football coach Jason Sport following a BHS football game.

By Mike Tupa

Bartlesville Area Sports Report

In the spiritual lexicon of Bartlesville’s honored sports tradition the name of Spence Rigdon fills a chapter of decent nobility and unlimited courage.

Spence was not a loud man — but the whispered fire of his heart and unassuming good-natured dedication to his family, friends, colleagues, athletes and others put an exclamation point on his character.

After graduating in the early 1990s from Bartlesville High School, Rigdon went on to obtain a college education and choose a career as an educator and high school coach.

Although he started in Kansas, there’s only one place Rigdon wanted to be — the hometown he loved and among the people he loved.

Rigdon poured his whole soul into serving others — primarily God, his family, his social studies students and his athletes. He served as the Bartlesville High baseball coach for 15 seasons (2004-2018). After stepping away from the dugout, he took reins of Bruin sports as athletic director. The field at Bill Doenges Memorial Stadium bears his name.

At the same time, he and his beloved wife Christian raised three children, Rilee, Bradee and Cy. 

Rigdon earned respect in every avenue he traveled in life.

But like many unassuming heroes he endured great hardship. 

For the final few years of his life he waged a feisty and indescribable brave battle against colon cancer. He continued to coach as long as he could, despite the pain and discomfort, as long as he could physically endure it.

Two of his public appearances stand out — perhaps his last. After Bartlesville’s football team broke a tough losing streak — on a brutally cold night at Custer Stadium — Rigdon rode out on the field in a cart and stood and embraced football coach Jason Sport.

About a week prior to his passing, he displayed his mighty courageous mettle by attending the Bartlesville Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.

Rigdon’s physical struggles ended on Nov. 4, 2019. He was only 46 years old.

The field at Bill Doenges Memorial Stadium is named after Spence Rigdon during a ceremony with family, friends and colleagues.

Photo courtesy of Bartlesville Public Schools