McKendree University Athletics

Earning four letters in soccer, Rich helped build the McKendree soccer program into a nationally ranked powerhouse. His senior year he was named to the NAIA All-America (2nd Team), All-Illinois and All-Area teams; led the nation in goals with 35 for the year; and was third in the nation in goals and total points per game, averaging 1.75 goals and four points per game. He participated in the Budweiser Soccer Classic College Senior All-Star Game in 1988 and was a second-round draft choice in the 1988 American Indoor Soccer Association draft. His importance to the team is best described by the nickname given him by his teammates, “Oneman,” in recognition of his ability to improve not only his own performance, but also his teammates’ level of play. Rich led McKendree in goals and total points each of his four years. He was McKendree’s all-time goal-scoring leader with 109 goals, the third highest in NAIA history. He was named Most Valuable Player in 1984 and 1987. Rich’s post-McKendree soccer achievements include playing on Gold Medal winning soccer teams in the Prairie State Games (Illinois’ Olympics) and in Mitre National Indoor Soccer Tournaments, with a National Championship win in 1989.