Donald "Duck" Richardson

Donald "Duck" Richardson
Born	Donald H. Richardson September 16, 1935 Lizella, Georgia, US
Died	September 4, 2011 Macon, Georgia, US
Other names	"Duck"
Occupation	High School basketball coach
Known for	Excellence in Coaching
Spouse	Jacquelyn Richardson
Children	4

Donald H. "Duck" Richardson, Sr. (September 16, 1935 – September 4, 2011) was an American boys' basketball coach at Southwest Magnet High School in Macon, Georgia from 1971 to 1990. During that period, he coached future NBA players Jeff Malone, Ivano Newbill,[1] Norm Nixon, and Sharone Wright. He also coached several players who went on to play Division I college basketball, such as Eric Manuel.[2] A total of 92 Southwest players were awarded collegiate athletic scholarships during his tenure.[3]

His career achievements included a 463–90 record (83.7% winning percentage), which set a school record for number of wins. Richardson led Southwest to fifteen subregional championships, ten regional championships, six state championships,[4] and one national championship (1979).[3] Under his management, Southwest boys' basketball teams never had a losing season.[4]

Coach Richardson was the husband of Jacquelyn Richardson. Together they raised 4 children; 3 Sons - Stan Richardson, Don Z. Richardson, Donald H. Richardson Jr., and a daughter, Linda Richardson.

Prior to Richardson's death, Southwest High School's gymnasium basketball court was named in his honor.[3][5]

Awards

• National coach of the Year: 1979[6]
• State of Georgia Coach of the Year
• Region Coach of the Year
• Middle Georgia Coach of the Year
• Head coach of the All American Team in the Dapper Dan Basketball Classic
• Steve Schmidt Award
• Georgia Sports Hall of Fame inductee: 2007[7]

References

1. "Ivano Newbill". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
2. "UK Career Statistics for Eric Manuel". Bigbluehistory.net. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
3. Heeter, Jonathan (11 September 2011). "Coach Richardson honored at funeral by family, friends, former players". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
4. "Legendary Southwest Coach Honored By School Family". WMAZ-TV. 22 July 2010. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
5. "Southwest Stencils Duck's Legacy". WMAZ-TV. 17 June 2010. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
6. "ESPN HS Boys Basketball". ESPN HS. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
7. "Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Members by Year" (PDF). Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2012.

• Duck 30 years Later
• Coach Richardson's Legacy
• Northeast Versus Southwest Duck Richardson Memorial Alumni Game^[permanent dead link‍]
• "Duck's Boys"
• 30 Years Later