The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hall of Honor
- Induction:
- 2012
- Class:
- 1991
A two-time Olympic medalist, three-time world champion, one-time NCAA Champion and seven-time All-American, Richards is one of the top 400-meter runners in school history. Richards spent two years at San Jacinto Junior College (1988-89), where she set the national Junior College record in the 400 meters. She then transferred to Texas and, in her two seasons in Austin, helped lead the Longhorns to three Top Two team finishes at the NCAA Championships, including the 1990 Indoor national title. As a junior in 1990, Richards paced UT to the NCAA Indoor Championship with a second-place individual performance in the 400 meters while running the anchor leg on the NCAA Champion 4x400-meter relay (which set a then-world record with a time of 3:32.01). She then led the Longhorns to a tie for eighth place at the NCAA Outdoor Championship by helping the 4x100-meter relay to an eighth-place finish. During her senior season in 1991, Richards paced Texas to a second-place showing at the NCAA Indoor Championship by placing third in the 400 meters and helping the 4x400-meter relay to a second-place finish. She then led the Longhorns to a second-place showing at the NCAA Outdoor Championship by finishing second in the 400 meters and helping the 4x400-meter relay to a third-place finish. Richards also excelled on the conference level during her career, winning four league individual titles and three conference relay crowns. She graduated from The University of Texas in 1991 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. In addition to her achievements at the collegiate level, Richards had a very successful professional career while competing on the international stage. Representing her home nation of Jamaica, she competed in five Olympic Games (1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004) and claimed two medals as a member of the 4x400-meter relay, earning silver in 2000 and bronze in 2004. Richards also is a three-time World Champion, claiming gold in the 400 meters at the 1993 and 2001 World Indoor Championship and running on the winning 4x400-meter relay team at the 2001 World Outdoor Championship. An active community service participant throughout her collegiate career when she mentored academically-challenged children, she was named Jamaica’s Sportswoman of the Year in 1998 and received the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government in 2002 for outstanding and important services to the country. Richards continues to provide and distribute clothing and shoes to young children in Jamaica. She remains active as a track and field coach while also designing a new track and field stadium for up-and-coming Jamaican athletes. Richards currently works as a physical therapist and resides in Austin.