“I FIGURED, WHY NOT? IF NOTHING ELSE, IT HAD THE POTENTIAL TO BRING SOME ATTENTION TO ICTHUS AND THE WORK WE WERE DOING.” -Dave Cox.

Dave Cox, a speech communication major, never planned on running for Homecoming king.

Until his junior year at Missouri State University (then Southwest Missouri State University), the title of Homecoming king didn’t even exist.

From 1940 to 1978, the Missouri State Homecoming queen sustained a solitary reign. It wasn’t until 1979 that the Student Government Association cleared the way for a king to join the court.

Cox, a 1980 graduate of Missouri State, was perfectly content with staying on the sidelines of the first-ever campaign for king.

His friends had other plans.

“I RECALL THINKING, ‘HOW IN THE WORLD DID THIS HAPPEN?’ I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF THE FOLKS AT WELLS AND ICTHUS WHO HAD GONE OUT OF THEIR WAY TO HELP ME WIN. I KNEW THEY ALL HAD TO BE PUMPED.” – Dave Cox.

A strong candidate for king needed to have excellent grades, a high level of involvement on campus and a personality infused with school spirit. Attending college in the era of “Animal House,” Cox assumed that the first man to be crowned king would most likely be a member of a fraternity.

When a group of friends from Wells House asked for his permission to nominate him, however, he said yes.

After Cox gave his friends the green light, Wells House held a meeting to select its candidate. During the meeting, each potential candidate answered the question, “If there is one person in the world you could be, who would it be?”

Cox’s answer would eventually secure his nomination.

“I paused to think for a moment, and then said, ‘Me,’” said Cox. “I felt that I had a really blessed life. I was surrounded by people who loved me and challenged me to be my best. I couldn’t imagine being anyone else.”

Once the campaign began, Cox and his friends created posters and other materials to encourage students to vote for him. One of his favorite memories of the campaign was getting to know the other candidates.

“They were an incredible group of people,” said Cox.

At the Friday night pep rally, Dave Cox was announced as Missouri State’s first-ever Homecoming king.

He was stunned.

King Dave Cox and Queen Krista Doerner presided over Homecoming 1979. Cox was humble in victory. “The women running for queen were wonderful and the other four men running for king were terrific. I thought for certain one of them would win.” 1979-80 Ozarko

“I HAVE SPENT MY LIFE IN ONE TYPE OF SERVICE OR ANOTHER. IT’S THE MOST REWARDING LIFE SOMEONE CAN HAVE. I KNOW HELPING ONE PERSON MAY NOT CHANGE THE WORLD, BUT IT COULD CHANGE THE WORLD FOR ONE PERSON.” – Dave Cox said.

In the aftermath of his win, ICTHUS saw a noticeable increase in attendance. Cox continued in his leadership role until graduation in December 1980.

Since then, Cox completed his master’s degree and worked in full-time ministry for many years. He counts himself blessed to be surrounded by six children, two grandchildren and his wife, Ashley.

Now a wealth advisor with KC Financial Advisors, Cox continues to pursue a lifestyle that seeks to serve others. This attitude was first instilled in him by friends and mentors during his time at Missouri State.

“I remember professors who genuinely cared, friends who helped me become a better person and roommates who challenged me to make good decisions,” said Cox. “Drawing from those influences, I’ve had the opportunity to pour myself into people and be there for them in the highs and lows.”

Discover all the #BearsHomecoming activities