Milton E. Richards

Milton E. Richards was inducted into the College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 2009.

A native of Liverpool, N.Y., Richards earned three degrees from West Virginia University: a B.S. in Recreation (1980), an M.S. in Sport Management (1981), and an Ed.D. (1983).

From 1982 to 1991, he served at Temple University as associate athletics director and chief financial officer and taught education administration courses as an adjunct faculty member. He later joined Kansas State University, where he led a capital campaign for an indoor football practice facility and a luxury-suite press box and established the Big 12 Conference’s first luxury-suite program.

Richards became director of athletics and recreation at the University at Albany, guiding the transition of its intercollegiate athletics program from NCAA Division III to Division I. He then served 12 years as director of athletics at California State University, Stanislaus, overseeing a 14-sport NCAA Division II program noted for student-athlete academic achievement and competitive honors.

In 2011, Richards was appointed senior director of athletics and recreation at Simon Fraser University, where he led the institution to full NCAA Division II membership and a top-25 Directors’ Cup finish. He retired in 2015 and was named emeritus senior director of athletics and recreation.

Richards served as vice president and president of the California Collegiate Athletic Association and is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Athletics and Rotary International. He is a former trustee of the Stanislaus County Mosquito Abatement Commission, former member of the Turlock Noon Rotary, former board member of the Stanislaus County United Way, and former chair/board member of the Turlock Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. He also completed two five-year terms on the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences President’s Visiting Committee. He was recognized in 2012 was recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record for his contributions to collegiate athletics.