Bill Richards Receives ITA Meritorious Service Award
December 05, 2018 | Men's Tennis
TEMPE, Ariz. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced that Ball State head men's tennis coach Bill Richards has received the ITA's Meritorious Service Award.
"On behalf of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, we are honored to recognize one of our sport's top coaches in Bill Richards with the 2018 ITA Meritorious Service Award, presented by Conant Leadership," said ITA Chief Executive Officer Timothy Russell. "Our Association has been greatly enhanced by Coach Richards's presence over the years as Chair of the Rules Committee, along with his service on the ITA Board of Directors and Division I Operating Committee. With close to 700 career wins under his belt, Richards has guided his Ball State teams to tremendous success on the tennis courts. The ITA thanks Bill for his leadership and service. We would also like to thank Conant Leadership for its support of college tennis and presenting Bill with such a prestigious honor, the ITA Meritorious Service Award."
Richards, is in his 47th season at the helm of the Cardinals, having led the program to a combined 38 Mid-American Conference regular season and or tournament titles, including 17 undefeated MAC seasons. 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.
The winningest men's tennis coach in Ball State and MAC history, reaching 685 overall wins and 215 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 was the recipient of the NCAA's Bob Frederick Sportsmanship Award for the 2014-15 season. 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.
"It's hard to find words to express my appreciation for this great honor," Richards said. I'm completely overwhelmed and surprised. It has been a great experience working with so many coaches and the ITA staff through the years. It has been a collaborative effort to continue to grow college tennis and make it the best it can be for the student- athletes, fans and coaches. I have such great respect and admiration for so many coaches that have contributed so much that it makes this award even more special. My sincere thanks to the ITA, not only for this award, but for allowing me the opportunity to serve."
A native of Sturgis, Michigan, Richards earned a bachelor of science degree from Western Michigan in 1970 and a master's degree in health and physical education from Bowling Green in 1971. At Western Michigan, he was a three-year letterwinner in tennis and a MAC 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 for one year prior to his appointment at Ball State.
Richards and his wife, Sue, have two children, Rob, (wife Wendy), and Kristi, one granddaughter Leah and one grandson, Ryan.
The ITA Meritorious Service Award is given annually in recognition of an ITA coach who has gone "above and beyond" in their commitment and contributions to the ITA and college tennis in general. As part of receiving the Meritorious Service Award, Richards, courtesy of the ITA and Conant Leadership, will attend the 2019 Enshrinement Weekend in Newport, Rhode Island, where Richards will be recognized during the International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Weekend.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State men's tennis team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateMTNS.
"On behalf of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, we are honored to recognize one of our sport's top coaches in Bill Richards with the 2018 ITA Meritorious Service Award, presented by Conant Leadership," said ITA Chief Executive Officer Timothy Russell. "Our Association has been greatly enhanced by Coach Richards's presence over the years as Chair of the Rules Committee, along with his service on the ITA Board of Directors and Division I Operating Committee. With close to 700 career wins under his belt, Richards has guided his Ball State teams to tremendous success on the tennis courts. The ITA thanks Bill for his leadership and service. We would also like to thank Conant Leadership for its support of college tennis and presenting Bill with such a prestigious honor, the ITA Meritorious Service Award."
Richards, is in his 47th season at the helm of the Cardinals, having led the program to a combined 38 Mid-American Conference regular season and or tournament titles, including 17 undefeated MAC seasons. 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.
The winningest men's tennis coach in Ball State and MAC history, reaching 685 overall wins and 215 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 was the recipient of the NCAA's Bob Frederick Sportsmanship Award for the 2014-15 season. 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.
"It's hard to find words to express my appreciation for this great honor," Richards said. I'm completely overwhelmed and surprised. It has been a great experience working with so many coaches and the ITA staff through the years. It has been a collaborative effort to continue to grow college tennis and make it the best it can be for the student- athletes, fans and coaches. I have such great respect and admiration for so many coaches that have contributed so much that it makes this award even more special. My sincere thanks to the ITA, not only for this award, but for allowing me the opportunity to serve."
A native of Sturgis, Michigan, Richards earned a bachelor of science degree from Western Michigan in 1970 and a master's degree in health and physical education from Bowling Green in 1971. At Western Michigan, he was a three-year letterwinner in tennis and a MAC 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 for one year prior to his appointment at Ball State.
Richards and his wife, Sue, have two children, Rob, (wife Wendy), and Kristi, one granddaughter Leah and one grandson, Ryan.
The ITA Meritorious Service Award is given annually in recognition of an ITA coach who has gone "above and beyond" in their commitment and contributions to the ITA and college tennis in general. As part of receiving the Meritorious Service Award, Richards, courtesy of the ITA and Conant Leadership, will attend the 2019 Enshrinement Weekend in Newport, Rhode Island, where Richards will be recognized during the International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Weekend.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State men's tennis team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateMTNS.
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