Olivet Nazarene University softball coach Ritchie Richardson's résumé was already an impressive piece of work heading into the 2009 season, but it got a little better. The Tigers' 5-4 win over Biola University in the NAIA/NFCA Lead-Off Classic in Panama City Beach, FL this past April gave Richardson his 600th career win. Beginning his 15th season of work at ONU (1995-2000, 2002-2009), Richardson has put together an impressive 630-243 worksheet, averaging 45 wins per season over his head coaching career. During that stint, Richardson has guided the Tigers to seven CCAC Regular Season Titles, eight CCAC Tournament Championships, five NAIA Region VII Titles and five NAIA World Series appearances. The program has also finished in the NAIA's top 25 eight times during the span: 11th in 1997, 16th in 1998, seventh in 1999, 10th in 2000, 15th in 2002, ninth in 2003, 15th in 2004 and 10th in 2008. The Tigers also claimed five NCCAA National Championships in 1996, 1997, 2000, 2006 and 2008. For the Tiger’s accomplishments, Richardson has received NAIA, CCAC, NCCAA and National Fastpitch Coaches Association Coach of the Year awards 30 times over that same period and was inducted into the CCAC Hall of Fame in 2005.
In 2001 Richardson helped guide the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in its inaugural Big Ten softball season. The squad finished a surprising 3rd with a 49-23 record, still the most wins in a season by the Illini. The squad's success came despite a roster consisting of 17 freshmen.
Richardson served as the NCCAA's national chair for softball from 2003-2008. He received the association’s highest honor by being recognized with the NCCAA’s Meritorious Service Award. He also served on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association board of directors as the NAIA Representative from 2004-2008. Richardson is a native of Maynardville, Tenn., and attended Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., where he was a standout on the Railsplitter baseball team. In 1984, he was named LMU's prestigious Athlete of the Year and the Coaches Award recipient, as well. Richardson was inducted into the Lincoln Memorial University athletic hall-of-fame on October 10, 2009. After graduation, Richardson spent seven seasons in the ASA Men's Major and Men’s Major Modified Fastpitch Softball circuit. He resides in Bourbonnais with wife, Sharon, and daughter, Anna, 17.