Former USC football star, AD Dixon dead at 83

COLUMBIA (AP) - Former South Carolina running back, athletic director and board of trustees member King Dixon died on Monday. He was 83 years old.

The university said in a release that Dixon had fought pancreatic cancer.

"King Dixon made his impact on the University of South Carolina as a student-athlete, alumnus, athletics director and trustee," USC athletics director Ray Tanner said in a statement from the school. "King's contributions to his alma mater are numerous, however what I will remember most about him was his selflessness, his engaging personality, and his service to our country during his long tenure with the Marines.

"When Carolina called, King jumped at the opportunity to give back to his school, even in his final months, answering the call to serve on the Board of Trustees. A true and loyal Gamecock, King was greatly respected by all and will be dearly missed."

Dixon played for the Gamecocks from 1956-58 and served as a co-captain his senior year. After spending 22 years in the Marines, Dixon returned to South Carolina as its athletic director in 1988.

Dixon oversaw South Carolina's entrance into the Southeastern Conference in 1992 before ending his tenure.

Dixon was named to the university's Association of Letterman's Hall of Fame in 1991.

Dixon was appointed as a school trustee earlier this year.