Ball State University Athletics
Richards Inducted Into Sturgis High School HOF
October 16, 2014 | Men's Tennis
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State head men's tennis coach Bill Richards was inducted into the Sturgis High School Hall of Fame Saturday, October 4.
"This honor means a lot to me," Richards said. "I have a special place in my heart for my hometown and high school. A lot of people there were big influences in my life. Sturgis has great athletic history and I am honored to be selected to the hall of fame!"
Richards attended Sturgis High School in Sturgis, Mich., where he was crowned a state champion in doubles in 1965 and 1966. After high school, Richards was a three-year letterwinner in tennis at Western Michigan and a Mid-American Conference Champion in both singles and doubles. After serving as a graduate assistant at Bowling Green, Richards served as the head tennis coach at Portage Central High School in Portage, Mich., for one year prior to his appointment at Ball State in 1973.
He has guided the Cardinals to 38 MAC regular season and or tournament championships. Richards has an overall record of 619-357 and a conference record of 206-43, making him the winningest tennis coach in MAC history. He has coached 17 undefeated regular seasons and was inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993. Richards became the first coach in school history to receive the President's Medal of Distinction at the 2012 Ball State commencement. He also earned the Benny Award from Ball State in 2006, which is the top honor for service to the University.
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