RICHMOND, Ky. (FOX 56) — It was a bittersweet moment for the Richmond community, as many people came to pay their respects to legendary coach Roy Kidd.

Eastern Kentucky University’s Center for the Arts building was filled with hundreds of people who wanted to honor and say their goodbyes to Kidd. The EKU Colonels also paid tribute on Saturday night by wearing coach Roy Kidd shirts, patches, and a tribute video at halftime. Former players say that Kidd was more than just a football coach to the community.

Former EKU football player Charles Tinsley said, “You know, a lot of people know him as a football coach, but for us, it was completely different. We went to play football, it’s almost like we gained a parent because he was more than just football to us. At the end of the day, you know, we had our practices and games, but he was always somebody that if we needed to call him, he would always answer the phone.”

Former EKU player Richard Johnson said, “Coach Kidd was a wonderful coach, very influential, and very instrumental in helping develop myself as well as a lot of these guys right here into the men that we are today.”

Community members will gather once again on campus tomorrow, with a funeral service planned at 11 a.m. in the Center for the Arts followed by a private burial for family only.