Matt Richards Awarded Garth Pleasant Co-Athletic Director of the Year

Written by Jim Heath, USCAA Sports Information Director

NORFOLK, Va.— In a unique season, the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) pulled a different stance with the Garth Pleasant Athletic Director of the Year award.   The USCAA announce today that Matt Richards of Southern Maine Community College and Andy Kirschner of Penn State Beaver will be named Co-Athletic Directors of the Year.

“Each year as we vet the nominees for Athletic Director of the Year, we often vet our own leadership or those that have served in leadership positions with the USCAA extremely stronger than other candidates at times,” said USCAA Executive Director Matt Simms.  “This year – there was no doubt that two individuals rose above the others in their work for the USCAA during one of the most difficult years of our history.  For that – there will be a co-USCAA Athletic Director of the Year awarded for the first time in our history… but well deserved on both accounts.”

Matt Richards

• Chaired Eligibility Committee and served as liaison to USCAA eligibility requests.
• A leader for the eligibility relief through COVID-19 pandemic
• Served on Eligibility Taskforce, which sought to develop talking points that for new USCAA eligibility guidelines to assist our members.
• Chaired the Financial committee which sought to put together a plan for more responsible long term financial planning.
• Served as a USCAA Board member
• Served on Past President’s Committee which have developed succession planning.
• Assisted in the Strategic Planning Committee

Andy Kirschner

• Chaired Eligibility Taskforce which sought to put together a plan for more responsible long term financial planning.
• Served on Eligibility Committee
• Served as a USCAA Board member
• Served on Past President’s Committee for succession planning
• Coached a successful program to a conference tournament in the PSUAC
• Traveled to Penn State DuBois to work the full week of the Small College World Series
• Co-chaired the Strategic Planning Committee
• Co-chairing Championships standing committee
• Served on USCAA Softball Coaches Poll

Congratulations to the 2021 Garth Pleasant Honorary Co-Athletic Directors of the Year – Matt Richards of Southern Maine CC and Andy Kirschner of Penn State Beaver.