On the corner of
Temple University’s campus sits a forgotten field. It may not look like much
but this field is home to the Black Hawks. The father of this unlikely home is
Coach Don Richardson. At age fifty-nine, Richardson coached football for the
Black Hawks for fourteen years. Initially becoming involved because his son’s
coach never showed up, Richardson now is the athletic director for all four of
the Black Hawks’ teams – football, basketball, baseball and cheerleading.
After the previous president passed
away ten years ago, Richardson saw the need for leadership for the Black Hawks.
With the help of two other gentlemen, Richardson took the opportunity to lead.
As a young man Richardson played
football as a receiver and defensive back. He played at Slippery Rock
University for one year and the made it on to the Denver Broncos’ practice
squad in 1973. After leaving the Broncos, Richardson played semi-pro ball for a
few years.
When his football days were over,
Richardson opened a forklifting company, which he stayed at until he became
ill. These days the Black Hawks are his life. Richardson receives dialysis
three days a week but spends most of his days at the field on Montgomery and 11th
or working in some way for the Black Hawks.
Black Hawk athletics has become
Richardson’s life. Even though his biological son is no longer on the team, he
thinks of every player as his own son. He said, “ It is surprising to see I
know all the kids and they know me. It’s impressive that they recognize me on
the streets.”
Richardson beamed like a proud
father as he talked about those involved. He could not stop talking about his
coaches and the teams they led to national championships.
Two such coaches, Coach Scrap and
Coach LaMar said, “He brought me in. I would not be here without him.” When
Erica Richardson, Richardson’s wife, spoke of her husband she said he always
comes out of retirement whenever a team needs a coach. She continued to say,
“The Black Hawks are his life.”
Mrs. Richardson’s comments maybe a
little bias but both Scrap and LaMar completely agreed with her. All the
coaches love Richardson.
James Scott, a Philadelphia Police Officer, who
volunteers as a coach for the Black Hawks said, “(Richardson) accepted me even
though I was never a Black Hawk.” Many of the coaches are former players but
Scott was an exception.
Acceptance for Richardson does not
end at whom he allows to coach. He is there whenever needed, especially for his
players. To play on the team, players have to pay a $100 fee to cover expenses.
This fee is the lowest out of all the teams in the city, but some people still
have problems paying. Scott, said that Richardson does whatever he can to allow
someone to play, even if that means not getting the full $100.
Richardson
believes so much in the program that he will create multiple teams of the same
weight/age limit to accommodate all who want to play. He tries not to turn anyone
away.
When
the program started forty-five years ago, the goal was to keep young African
American men off the streets and out of trouble. Today, the mission is the
same, but has become a core value. Even though Richardson’s favorite part is
going to the playoffs and winning, he added, “I raised these kids; I’m proud as
long as they get an education.”
Richardson’s concern with educating
these young men is evident in his frequent visits to the boys’ schools. The
principals welcome his visits stating as Richardson said, “I can come anytime I
want. They don’t cause trouble when I’m in the building.”
Richardson
stated, “my job is to do everything,” and that includes catching the boys who
fall through the cracks with their grades or behaviors. If someone does
anything wrong they make sure Richardson does not find out.
To
say the least, Don Richardson is dedicated. What he wants is to positively
influence these boys. And thanks to a 2.5 million dollar contribution from St.
Joe’s Preparatory School, the field the boys practice on will be completely
renovated. St. Joe’s will use it as a practice facility, allowing the Black
Hawks to use all the new equipment they buy. For Richardson, this was the help
he need to continue his mission
While
being interviewed, Richardson was interrupted by five- year old Semaj Mitchell.
Dressed as a skeleton for Halloween, Semaj began talking to Richardson. Even
though Semaj does not play football yet, when he was asked if Richardson was
his buddy he shyly nodded his head. The impact Richardson has on these boys is
crystal clear.
Through
sports, these young men are taught disciple, responsibility and how to become a
man in the most important years of their development. As the athletic director
and a former coach, Richardson provides a positive male role model for the
boys, especially those who do not have a father figure.
