McKendree University Athletics

Rich earned eleven varsity letters: four in basketball, four in track, two in golf, and one in baseball. He holds the school record for the most points scored (47) in a basketball game. At the Sunshine Tournament in Portales, New Mexico, he led his team and the tournament in free throws scored and was named to the all-tournament team, an honor he also earned in the City of Richmond (Indiana) Tournament. Coaching high school basketball in Okawville and Benton, Rich established a record of 616 victories and 209 losses. His team won 55 titles, including a state record of 21 regional championships, six Centralia Holiday Tournament trophies, and 11 South Seven Conference crowns. Rich was selected Coach of the Year on five occasions in Southern Illinois. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in 1983. In May 1985 Rich became the head basketball coach at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.