The Dale Lloyd Memorial Page

To An Athlete Dying Young Dale Lloyd 1987-2006 The time you won your town the race We chaired you through the market-place; Man and boy stood cheering by, And home we brought you shoulder-high. To-day, the road all runners come, Shoulder-high we bring you home, And set you at your threshold down, Townsman of a stiller town. Smart lad, to slip betimes away From fields where glory does not stay, And early though the laurel grows It withers quicker than the rose. Eyes the shady night has shut Cannot see the record cut, And silence sounds no worse than cheers After earth has stopped the ears: Now you will not swell the rout Of lads that wore their honours out, Runners whom renown outran And the name died before the man. So set, before its echoes fade, The fleet foot on the sill of shade, And hold to the low lintel up The still-defended challenge-cup. And round that early-laurelled head Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, And find unwithered on its curls The garland briefer than a girl's. – A. E. Housman

'We had a shooting star'

Owls suffer their worst loss of all

HOUSTON (Sept. 25) -- Dale Lloyd, a freshman defensive back for the Rice Owls, collapsed suddenly during a light workout about 5 pm Sunday and passed away at 8:49 am Monday morning.  Arrangements are pending at this time.

Chris DelConte, Rice’s athletic director, faced the news media at 1:30 to tell about the tragic death of Dale Lloyd.  “These things are never easy.  This is a tough time for all of us,” DelConte said.  “As you get older, you realize that you are not invincible.”

“He was an unbelievable individual,” said DelConte of Lloyd.  “He spent nineteen years on this earth. . . he was a tremendous student who happened to play football.  We had a shooting star.  His smile lit up the room.”

When asked about the cause of his death, Del Conte was at a loss for words.  “We have a lot more questions than we do answers,” Del Conte continued.  “I can stand here before you today not knowing any more than you do.”

Dale Lloyd was a 2006 graduate of Lamar High School, and was a well-liked and respected member of Lovett College.

In high school, he was a two sport star who earned all-district honors in football as well as baseball.   He was elected to Who’s Who Among High School Students and was on the Mayor’s Youth Council.

Coach Graham said of Lloyd, “The Rice Owl family has suffered a devastating loss.  Dale was a tremendous person with the heart of a champion.   Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, our players, coaches, and staff in their prayers.”  

Rice AD  DelConte, when asked about the incident Sunday, explained that Lloyd wasn’t in any pain or complaining of any pain.  Del Conte said, “He said, ‘I just don’t feel right.’” 

He collapsed onto the field and the trainers immediately began working on him.  He was treated by EMS and then rushed to Hermann Hospital.  He was conscious in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, according to DelConte. Regarding the cause of his death, a visibly upset DelConte said, “It’s a mystery until the autopsy is completed.”

DelConte said that losing Lloyd was like losing one of his own family members.  “You bring them here, and they’re part of your family,” DelConte said.  “When one of your family members passes. . . .you can’t imagine.”

When asked about the upcoming game with Army, DelConte said, “That’s the least of my concerns.”

Dale Lloyd was going to be red-shirted because he had appeared in only one game, the opener against the Cougars here at Rice on September 2.

We at the Ricefootball.net  would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his parents, Dale and Abitibi Lloyd, as well as his two brothers.  We will share details of the arrangements as they become known.

--  Mark Anderson

Coach Graham:  "We know Dale's in a better place..."

'He’s changed all of our lives'
(West U. Examiner -- Nov. 29)
Lloyd funeral was a celebration of his life
(West U. Examiner -- Oct. 4)
Scoreboard can't reflect Owls' most stunning loss
(West U. Examiner -- Oct. 4)
Grad's death stuns Lamar staff, friends
(West U. Examiner -- Sept. 29)
Dale Lloyd remembered for dedication to football and Rice
(The Rice Thresher -- Sept. 29)
Dale's funeral set for 3:00 p.m. Sunday
(RiceOwls.com -- Sept. 28)
AD DelConte announces Dale Lloyd death on Monday
(CSTV.com/video -- Sept. 28)
Coach Graham draws strength from his peers
(Houston Chronicle -- Sept. 27)
Todd Graham's interview Tuesday re Dale Lloyd, Army game
(RiceOwls.com -- Sept. 26)
Owls to play on
(RiceOwls.com -- Sept. 26)
Rice to play Army in honor of Lloyd
(Albany Times-Union -- Sept. 27)
Rice player's death overshadows Army game
(Times-Herald Record -- Sept. 27)
Rice players to conduct season-long tribute to Lloyd
(SportsIllustrated.com -- Sept. 26)
Rice left stunned by player's death
(Houston Chronicle -- Sept. 26)
Rice family mourns its 'shooting star'
(Houston Chronicle -- Sept. 26)
Rice's Del Conte deals with tragedy
(Houston Chronicle -- Sept. 26)
Rice player dies a day after collapsing
(Houston Chronicle/AP -- Sept. 26)
Perspective (M.K.'s blog)
(Houston Chronicle -- Sept. 26)
Athlete's dying very young
(Black Athlete Sports Network -- Sept. 25)
In memory of Dale Lloyd
(Houston Chronicle -- Sept. 26)