As a wave of gold and crimson sweeps the stands at Ewigleben Ice Area, Richard Hillman is right in front of the crowd cheering on the Dawgs.
Diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Hillman has come a long way on his own, especially as a hockey fan. When he was born in 1957, his doctor had grave doubts about his condition.
“The medicine is what makes him survive,” Alida Hillman, Richard’s mother, says when explaining that his life has been blessed since he was first born. “When the doctor told me he had Down Syndrome he had written on a long piece of paper, ‘Mongolian Idiot,’ and gave it to me. He said that Richard would never be anything, that he’d ruin the family and he should be put away in an institution. The doctor said that I shouldn’t tell anyone about him.”
The Hillmans moved from Farmington to Big Rapids because of Mr. Hillman’s job. Once in Big Rapids, they worked with other people in the area to open Mecosta Osceola Area Rehabilitation Center. Thanks to MOARC, Richard can finally live on his own.
“At MOARC, people know him,” his mother explains. “They are there to help if something happens to him outside, and everyone knows my number.”
Ever since the first game he attended, Richard has become 110-percent dedicated to Bulldog hockey.
“I took him to a game with my friends about 20 years ago, and that is all he has wanted to do since,” recalls his mother.
Once Richard was living by himself, he liked being independent.
“I used to go to the games with him, and then he wanted me to stop going because I would sit next to him. I would tell him to wipe his nose, to sit down or not to cheer too loud and he would get upset. It doesn’t bother me now because he enjoys the games,” says Ms. Hillman.
In 1994, the team even presented Richard with a trophy. The inscription honors him as the Number One Fan. Richard even had the chance to have his picture taken with the team.
“I like getting my picture taken,” Richard declares, laughing bright-eyed.
“We notice he’s out there,” says junior forward Chris Kunitz. “He is always the first one to give us a high five. He encourages us out on the ice. When we see him and the crowd pumped up, it gets us pumped.”
“Richard feels for the team. When they win he is very happy, and when they lose he is sad, taking the loss to heart,” Ms. Hillman says.
When the team is on the road, Richard has two radios and he’ll manage to find the game on one or the other. He always roots for the team both on the road and on home ice.
“It doesn’t matter how we play, he’s always right by the door,” notes sophomore Trevor Large. “If we lose by one or win by one, he is always screaming and yelling. It’s good to see.”
Coach Bob Daniels agrees, “I think it’s great that he is always there, win or lose. He’s a great fan and an inspiration to the team.”
“Some games you get nervous, but the first thing you see is Richie, and it gets you pumped up. You see him cheer and you want to play not only to impress him, but everybody,” says Large.
Besides being a huge hockey fan and participating with MOARC, Richard is an active member in the Special Olympics; swimming and bowling are some of his favorite activities.
“I like bowling. I won gold medals,” Richard says. “I like swimming a little bit and riding my bike.”
In addition to the Special Olympics events, swimming and riding his bike, Richard, not surprisingly, has always enjoyed playing poly-hockey (indoor hockey with a softer puck).
Richard continues to live life to the fullest and will always be considered the Dawg’s number-one fan.

An earlier version of this story first ran in the Ferris State Torch.
Photos by Mike Termini

Main Switchboard
(231) 591-2000
Campus Police
(231) 591-5000