University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Eric Miller
Catching up with Coach Katie Richardson
8/31/2020 8:37:00 AM | Softball
Minnesota alumna Katie Richardson joined the Golden Gopher softball staff in June of 2020 as she completed head coach Piper Ritter's staff. Richardson spent two years at Arizona State as a volunteer and assistant with Associate head coach Carly Wynn. She then went to Ball State where she was the special assistant to the athletic director before taking the assistant coaching role at Minnesota. As a student-athlete with the Golden Gophers, Richardson established herself as one of the most decorated softball players to come through Minnesota in her time as a player from 2012-15. She started every game, 224, and was a two-time All-American. In the classroom, Richardson earned Academic All-Big Ten and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honors in her time at Minnesota. She also earned 2013 CoSIDA Academic All-American honors as a third team honoree. Read more on how her transition back to her alma mater has gone so far!
Gophersports: What does it mean to you to return to your alma mater as a coach?
Katie Richardson: I am overwhelmed with both pride and gratefulness to have the opportunity to return to the University of Minnesota as a coach. This University has given me so much in my life and I could not be more excited to share that with the next generation of Gophers.
GS: You've been on the job now for a couple months. How has this transition gone?
KR: While transitioning is always a little bit crazy, I could not have asked for a better support system in Minnesota. Knowing Coach Ritter from when I played here and Coach Wynn from the two years we spent together at Arizona State has made the move that much easier. I temporarily stayed with a former teammate and have finally just moved into my place that I will be for the foreseeable future. Working has been all about getting to know our players, getting on the same page as we gear up for practice, and jumping into recruiting!
GS: You know the other two coaches really well. How does that familiarity help the coaching staff even while you may not be able to work closely together because of COVID?
KR: I think knowing Coach Ritter and Coach Wynn so well has really allowed us to hit the ground running. I would like to take credit for helping in the transition of Coach Wynn joining the staff, but we all meshed right away and it feels like we have been a staff for much longer than a few months.
GS: How have you been able to connect and get to know this current Gopher team?
KR: Zoom has been an incredible resource when connecting with the 2020-2021 team. We have been creative in setting up meetings to talk softball as well as get to know them as people. While I wish I could hug them all and get to know them in person, I think Coach Ritter has done a fantastic job ensuring that we have been able to start building a bond with the team. It has been fun to start learning their personalities and I can't wait to see them on campus!
GS: What are you most looking forward to this upcoming year?
KR: I cannot wait to create an experience for these young women that will have a lasting impact for the rest of their lives. I look forward to seeing our team develop into the best athletes they can be along with the best version of themselves. College athletics is special for many reasons and you only get to do it one time in your life. I hope to see our kids be as proud as I am of being a Golden Gopher.
Gophersports: What does it mean to you to return to your alma mater as a coach?
Katie Richardson: I am overwhelmed with both pride and gratefulness to have the opportunity to return to the University of Minnesota as a coach. This University has given me so much in my life and I could not be more excited to share that with the next generation of Gophers.
GS: You've been on the job now for a couple months. How has this transition gone?
KR: While transitioning is always a little bit crazy, I could not have asked for a better support system in Minnesota. Knowing Coach Ritter from when I played here and Coach Wynn from the two years we spent together at Arizona State has made the move that much easier. I temporarily stayed with a former teammate and have finally just moved into my place that I will be for the foreseeable future. Working has been all about getting to know our players, getting on the same page as we gear up for practice, and jumping into recruiting!
GS: You know the other two coaches really well. How does that familiarity help the coaching staff even while you may not be able to work closely together because of COVID?
KR: I think knowing Coach Ritter and Coach Wynn so well has really allowed us to hit the ground running. I would like to take credit for helping in the transition of Coach Wynn joining the staff, but we all meshed right away and it feels like we have been a staff for much longer than a few months.
GS: How have you been able to connect and get to know this current Gopher team?
KR: Zoom has been an incredible resource when connecting with the 2020-2021 team. We have been creative in setting up meetings to talk softball as well as get to know them as people. While I wish I could hug them all and get to know them in person, I think Coach Ritter has done a fantastic job ensuring that we have been able to start building a bond with the team. It has been fun to start learning their personalities and I can't wait to see them on campus!
GS: What are you most looking forward to this upcoming year?
KR: I cannot wait to create an experience for these young women that will have a lasting impact for the rest of their lives. I look forward to seeing our team develop into the best athletes they can be along with the best version of themselves. College athletics is special for many reasons and you only get to do it one time in your life. I hope to see our kids be as proud as I am of being a Golden Gopher.
Highlights: Gophers 2, Ohio State 1
Sunday, April 05
Highlights: Gophers 2, Illinois 0
Sunday, March 29
Highlights: Gophers 5, Illinois 2
Friday, March 27
Highlights: Gophers 1, Iowa 0
Sunday, March 22