WASHINGTON – Long-time Atlantic 10 Senior Associate Commissioner, Debbie Richardson, will be honored with the 2025 A-10 Women’s Basketball Contribution Award, given to recognize and honor an outstanding individual who has contributed to the promotion and advancement of Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball.
Richardson oversaw women’s basketball and served as the league’s Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), for over 15 years. “Coach Rich”, as called by many, was instrumental in promoting the growth of women’s basketball, including securing neutral site arenas for the A-10 Women’s basketball Championship over the last 15-plus years, including the current venue, the Henrico Sports & Events Center, which was the first major event hosted at the arena last year. Richardson was honored at the Women Leaders in Sports Convention two years ago as well.
“Debbie epitomizes the virtues of this award,” stated Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade, who was a teammate of Richardson’s at North Carolina and has been a colleague at both Georgia Tech and the A-10. “Having committed herself to A-10 women’s basketball and women’s basketball nationally, she is very deserving of this honor. On behalf of the Atlantic 10, I thank her for her service, support and enthusiasm in making women’s basketball better each and every year!”
Richardson was the recipient of the 2005 National Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) Administrator of the Year Award for her excellence in athletics administration and dedicated focus on NCAA Division I women’s basketball development. Most recently Richardson completed a six-year term on the prestigious NCAA Division I women’s basketball selection committee, where she also served as vice chair. During her career, she has also served on numerous Division I NCAA Committees, including the Management Council, the Championship/Competition Cabinet and the Administrative Committee. She also was the NCAA Division I Sports Committee Liaison for women's soccer.
“I am both humbled and honored to receive the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Contribution Award,” said Richardson. “It has been a highlight of my career to serve our membership -- working with outstanding administrators, coaches and student-athletes who made a difference each and every day to experience the exciting growth of Women's Basketball and the Atlantic 10.
Before her time as an administrator, Richardson spent many years on the sidelines herself, entering the coaching ranks in 1979 as an assistant women's basketball coach at North Carolina. She joined the staff at Georgia Tech in 1981 and was responsible for scouting and game-day management duties, while also serving as an academic liaison for the Lady Jackets. Richardson was named the head coach at East Tennessee State in 1986 and held the position until 1994, when she returned to Georgia Tech as an assistant coach. The 1993 Southern Conference Women's Basketball Coach of the Year, Richardson's ETSU teams succeeded on both the court and in the classroom. During her tenure, Richardson's teams compiled a 97 percent graduation rate. In addition to her head coaching duties at East Tennessee State, she served as the athletics department's Senior Woman Administrator.
"Debbie's impact on elevating Women's Basketball and the people she has worked with is immeasurable,” said Saint Joseph’s Head Coach Cindy Griffin. “When Debbie came into the Atlantic 10 as our assistant commissioner, she immediately forged relationships with every coach and administrator on their respective campuses. She truly took the time to understand the landscape, the challenges and more importantly the opportunities each league member faced. I will always appreciate her kind words of encouragement and praise when she watched our teams play at St. Joe's.”
Richardson, who also played basketball at North Carolina, serving as the team captain in 1978-79, will be honored with the Contribution Award during the Semifinal Round of the A-10 Women’s Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 8.