CORVALLIS, Ore. – Bushnell University’s Tommy Richards was named the 2023-24 Cascade Collegiate Conference Coach of Character, announced by the conference office.
Coaches who represent the core values of the NAIA – Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership – were nominated and voted on by the CCC's athletic directors, and the Beacons head baseball coach has embodied those core values.
In three short years, Richards has made an indelible impact on the Bushnell baseball program, the athletic department, and university as a whole. He is a fearless leader, a well-respected coach, and recruiter with over 40 athletes under his leadership. He has built a team culture strongly centered around Bushnell’s Tri-Athlete model, with the outcomes reflected in the team’s success in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.
Under his direction, Beacon baseball has established itself as a team of strong character, gaining a reputation on campus as men of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. The team holds a 3.33 combined GPA and has been involved in numerous community service projects, averaging close to 20 hours of service per athlete throughout the year. As a result of its extensive efforts, the team has earned numerous sportsmanship and character awards at the university and conference level this year.
“Our baseball team is a direct reflection of Coach Tommy Richards. He continues to represent Bushnell University and our Athletics department at the highest level both on and off the diamond. I cannot imagine anyone else coming in and having the positive impact that he has had in our community along with being a great mentor and role model for our baseball student-athletes,” stated Bushnell University Athletic Director, Corey Anderson.
In just the third year as a program, Bushnell qualified for the CCC postseason for the first time and won the CCC Tournament, qualifying for their first NAIA National Championship Tournament. The baseball culture is a direct reflection of their Coaches Character and contributes greatly to their success.