Jack Richardson, a stellar athlete and an even more accomplished athletic administrator, died Jan. 16, 2022, at Woodland Terrace, Coloma, Michigan.
Richardson, 92, became a legend in Yankton, where he taught and coached at the high school level as well as at Southern State College and spent 21 years as the Yankton High School athletic director.
He was born Dec. 8, 1929, on a farm west of Chester. In 1941, the family moved to Parker, where he participated in football, basketball and track. He graduated in 1949 and enrolled at South Dakota State College, earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education and administration in 1953 and a master’s degree in 1957. As an undergraduate, he participated in football, basketball and track, and was part of the undefeated 1950 football team.
He taught at Milbank in 1953-54, served Uncle Sam from 1954-56 and returned to State in 1956 to earn his master’s degree. He taught at Yankton from 1957 to 1965 and at Southern State College from 1965 to 1968. From 1968 to 1989 Richardson was assistant senior high principal and activities director at Yankton High School.
Richardson was honored as South Dakota Athletic Director of the Year in 1977 and 1981, and received the Ralph Ginn Excellency in Coaching Award from SDSU in 1982. He was a charter member of the South Dakota High School Athletic Directors Association and served as its president in 1982-83.
After he retired, the honors began to roll in: state athletic directors hall of fame, 1989; state athletic directors distinguished service award, 1990; SDSU Alumni Leadership Award, 1990; South Dakota High School Coaches Hall of Fame, 1990; SDSU Distinguished Alumnus, 1992; Yankton High School Hall of Fame, 1996; South Dakota Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame, 2001.
Richardson also served on the SDSU Alumni Council from 1982 to 1992, was president of the Yankton Quarterback Club and moderator of the Yankton United Church of Christ.
Survivors include a son, Terence (Arlett), of Coloma, Michigan; a daughter, Kay (Doug) Decker, of Pierre; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene (Walser), and a brother.
