Donald "Duck" Richardson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donald "Duck" Richardson
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|---|---|
| Born |
Donald H. Richardson
September 16, 1935 Lizella, Georgia
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| Died | September 4, 2011 |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | "Duck" |
| Occupation | High School basketball coach |
| Known for | Excellence in Coaching |
| Spouse(s) | Jacquelyn Richardson |
| Children | 3 Sons - Stan Richardson, Don Z. Richardson, Donald H. Richardson Jr., daughter, Linda Richardson |
Donald H. "Duck" Richardson, Sr. (born September 16, 1935 – died September 4, 2011) was a very successful American boys' basketball coach. He coached at Southwest Magnet High School in Macon, Georgia. Coach Richardson led his teams from 1971 to 1990.
During his time as coach, he helped many young players become great athletes. Some of his players even went on to play in the NBA. These included Jeff Malone, Ivano Newbill, Norm Nixon, and Sharone Wright. He also coached players like Eric Manuel, who played Division I college basketball. In total, 92 players from Southwest High School earned college athletic scholarships while he was coaching. This shows how much he helped his students succeed.
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Coach Richardson's Amazing Career
Coach Richardson had an incredible career record. He won 463 games and lost only 90. This means his teams won 83.7% of their games! This set a new record for the school.
Under his leadership, Southwest High School's boys' basketball teams were always strong. They never had a losing season. This means they always won more games than they lost each year.
Championships and Wins
Coach Richardson led his teams to many championships. They won fifteen subregional championships. They also won ten regional championships. His teams earned six state championships. The biggest win was in 1979, when they won a national championship!
About Coach Richardson's Family
Coach Richardson was married to Jacquelyn Richardson. They had four children together. Their three sons were Stan Richardson, Don Z. Richardson, and Donald H. Richardson Jr. They also had a daughter named Linda Richardson.
Honoring Coach Richardson
Before he passed away, Southwest High School honored Coach Richardson. They named the school's gymnasium basketball court after him. This was a special way to remember his great contributions.
Awards and Recognition
Coach Richardson received many awards for his coaching excellence. Here are some of them:
- National Coach of the Year: 1979
- State of Georgia Coach of the Year
- Region Coach of the Year
- Middle Georgia Coach of the Year
- Head Coach of the All American Team in the Dapper Dan Basketball Classic
- Steve Schmidt Award
- Georgia Sports Hall of Fame inductee: 2007
