Coach Speak: Chris Richardson
10/15/2020
PRESENTED BY
For the past 14 years, I have called Omaha and UNO my home. I have been on every side of this university from coaching to teaching, even earning my master’s degree as a student. In that time I have watched the school transform from a place that struggled to find its identity into an amazing institution where people take pride in saying they attend UNO and are proud to wear the “O”. I have seen the city of Omaha grow into a place that provides so many great opportunities and experiences for students and all people living here. It’s a place where our graduates want to stay as they begin the next chapter of their lives. Like myself, it’s a place they can call home.
In my time here, I have coached school record holders, conference champions, All-Americans, collegiate record holders and an Olympic Trials qualifier, but the thing I enjoy the most is the simplicity of seeing someone achieve one of their goals. It’s a great day when I see their face light up the moment something clicks. It’s rewarding to see our student-athletes overcome a barrier they thought was insurmountable. When they believe in themselves and gain confidence, they’ve achieved something will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
A person’s time in college is an important time of their lives and I want to make sure I provide my student-athletes with as great of an experience as I can. From the first recruiting phone call to the last competition of their career, I want nothing but the best for them. I care about each and every one of my student-athletes even after they have left UNO. It doesn’t make a difference who they are or what their background is - no one is just a number here. Everyone matters.
UNO is a special place with people who have positively affected me in many ways. I have seen so many student-athletes start here as freshmen who are now far into their careers and have families of their own. I want everyone to be able to look back at their time here and know it was the right decision.
