Ball State University Athletics
Richards Receives NCAA Bob Frederick Award
October 28, 2015 | Men's Tennis
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Ball State University men's tennis head coach Bill Richards was named Wednesday as the recipient of the NCAA's Bob Frederick Sportsmanship Award for the 2014-15 season.
The Frederick Award, first presented in 2009 to honor the late Kansas and Illinois State athletics director, is given annually to an NCAA member institution coach or administrator who exhibits a lifelong commitment to sportsmanship and ethical conduct, leading by example and promoting positive fan involvement in and out of competition.
"I am very honored and humbled to receive this award,” Richards said. “Sportsmanship is the core value of intercollegiate athletics and one of the most important things that we teach young people. It is a special privilege to win an award that bares the name of such a great athletic director and role model, Bob Frederick. With everything Bob did and stood for in college athletics, it is very special to be associated with him. I am sure there were many others that were deserving of this award so I am very flattered. I want to thank to the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct for selecting me.”
Richards is in his 44th season at the helm of the Cardinals, having led the program to 22 Mid-American titles, including 17 undefeated MAC seasons. Ball State has participated in the MAC for the last 33 years, claiming 38 regular season and or tournament championships. Since the MAC tournament format started in 1997, the Cardinals have won it seven times (1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2011 and 2014). Richards has led the Cardinals to eight NCAA tournament appearances.
“Coach Richards is very deserving of this prestigious award,” Ball State Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mark Sandy said. “Although I have only known him for a short time, his enthusiasm for the sport, sincere interest in his players, and his legacy of championships speaks for itself. We are fortunate to have him as our head men's tennis coach.”
The winningest men's tennis coach in Ball State and MAC history, reaching 645 overall wins and 210 conference victories, Richards has been named the MAC Coach of the Year 15 times during his tenure with the Cardinals. Richards was the first coach in school history to receive the President's Medal of Distinction in 2012. He earned the Benny Award in 2006, which is the top honor for service to the University. Richards is also a member of the Ball State Athletics and Sturgis High School halls of fame.
