Union University Sports Hall of Fame
Don Rayburn Richard is a graduate of Ramer High School in McNairy County, Tennessee. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Memphis State University, a Master of Arts in Mathematics from the University of Missouri, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado.
Richard served his country in the United States Air Force for almost 23 years, where his duties included flying as a navigator on transports, four years teaching mathematics at the United State Air Force Academy, and three years as commander of the Air Force ROTC detachment at the University of New Mexico. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel on a Friday in September of 1983 and joined Union’s faculty the following Monday. He taught in the Department of Mathematics for 26 years and served as the department chair for one year.
Richard has been a supporter of the Union University basketball program since arriving on campus in 1983, and has been the official scorekeeper for home games for more than 25 years. He also worked on the scorer’s table at the NAIA National Tournament for 19 years while the tournament was in Jackson.
An avid golfer, he once served as assistant to former Union golf head coach Don Morris. He emphasized that he was not the “assistant coach” but the “assistant TO the coach” for handling travel plans, reservations, and such. He is still an active supporter and fan of the Union golf teams.
Richard served the Union Department of Athletics for more than 20 years as the Faculty Athletic Representative, working with the registrar to ensure that eligibility requirements were met. He also served on the committee that established Union’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
Richard was selected as the Union University Faculty Member of the Year in 1992 and was honored with the Distinguished Faculty/Staff Award in the fall of 2009.
A member of First Baptist Church of Jackson since 1984, Richard serves as a deacon, has taught a Bible study class for over 25 years, sings in the choir, and serves in other areas as needed.
When he is not traveling with the basketball and golf teams, he plays banjo with his friends in the Jackson Area Plectral Society, a group that promotes and preserves old-time string music.
He and his wife Marjorie have been generous supporters of Union University Athletics for many years.
