Hall of Fame

The following was printed on Kirk Richards' Hall of Fame Plaque:

Kirk Richards joined Siena Heights University in the fall of 2009 and has since established one of the most accomplished eras in Saints track & field and cross country history. Over seventeen years of dedicated service, Richards has elevated the program to national prominence while cultivating a standard of excellence that has shaped generations of student‑athletes.

Richards began his career at Siena Heights as an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s track & field and cross country programs. His leadership and technical expertise quickly earned him promotion to Head Women’s Track & Field and Women’s Cross Country Coach, while he continued to serve as an assistant for the men’s teams. In the 2023–24 academic year, he assumed full oversight as Head Men’s and Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country Coach, becoming the steward of all four programs.

Under Richards’ guidance, Siena Heights has achieved sustained competitive success at the conference and national levels. The Saints have recorded 18 top‑ten finishes at NAIA National Championship meets, produced 20 individual national champions, and earned 25 national runner‑up finishes. His student‑athletes have amassed 158 NAIA All‑American honors and 439 national championship qualifications, reflecting both depth and consistency across disciplines.

Within the Wolverine‑Hoosier Athletic Conference, Richards’ teams have captured 101 WHAC individual titles, set 14 conference records, and broken 131 school records. His leadership has contributed to eight WHAC team championships, and he has twice been named WHAC Coach of the Year, along with three selections as the WHAC Champions of Character Coach.

Richards’ commitment to academic excellence is equally distinguished. During his tenure, Siena Heights student‑athletes have earned over 400 WHAC All‑Academic awards and more than 150 NAIA Scholar‑Athlete honors, underscoring his belief in the holistic development of every competitor.

His influence extends into the university’s most celebrated traditions. Richards has coached nine teams inducted into the Siena Heights Hall of Fame and has mentored 65 individual Hall of Fame inductees, a testament to the enduring impact of his leadership.

Through competitive achievement, academic stewardship, and unwavering dedication to the mission of Siena Heights University, Kirk Richards has left an indelible mark on the Saints community. His legacy stands among the most significant in the history of Siena Heights athletics.