The Black Hawks

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 11^th 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.

"Children have never been good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." James Baldwin