Celebrating Women in Sport and Physical Activity - Profiles
Bob Richthammer - 2018 Honoree
Bob Richthammer
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Bob Richthammer has helped countless high school students earn scholarships to play rugby in college. He helped establish Grand Valley's women's rugby club team as a national powerhouse.
Yet when you ask Richthammer what he's most proud of, he will talk about the connections he has made that have helped rugby alumni enter or advance in the workforce.
"The majority of these women are not going to play professional rugby," he said. "I am thrilled to help them get connected to internships or jobs; I've given them resources and references."
Richthammer retired three years ago from coaching Grand Valley's team. He continues to stay in the game by continuing to help coach the Grandville High School girls rugby team.
He played rugby in college at the University of Maryland and while serving in the Army. Richthammer's first coaching experience was at the University of Dayton (Ohio) in 1996. He then traveled the country to attend rugby and football coaching clinics.
When he moved to West Michigan in 2004, Richthammer was asked to coach Grand Valley's women's club team that had two seasons under its belt. With current coach Abe Cohen, Richthammer established the team as one that consistently competes for the national title.
Most players on the team have never played rugby before, Richthammer said. "Most have played soccer or basketball. The key is to find the athletes and train them for rugby," he said.
He said while he recruited good athletes, Grand Valley's resources and facilities — team lockers, new fields — have also contributed to building a team legacy.
"The success the women have had here are due in large part to the resources from the university," he said. "There are better facilities here than in some varsity collegiate programs."
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