ROD RICHARDSON MEMORIAL FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP

Fall Scholarship This scholarship will be used to provide scholarships for East Central University students who are involved in the ECU Football program, but who have completed their eligibility or are serving as graduate assistants. Between stints of serving in the United States Marine Corps, Rod Richardson had three experiences of a lifetime, all while attending East Central University. Richardson met his future wife Rita Aleene Wiley, played football on a conference championship team in 1975 under head coach Pat O’Neal, and earned his degree from ECU in 1976. Throughout his years in the United States Marine Corps, Lt. Col. Rod C. “K2” Richardson was a leader in training and fighting whether it be in the jungles, in the desert, or on the oceans patrolled by the U.S. Fleet. After the Global War on Terror began in 2001, Richardson began working as a civilian contractor providing VIP security services throughout the Middle East, first in Afghanistan and primarily in Iraq. On Oct. 4, 2006 near Baghdad, Iraq, Richardson was killed as a result of injuries received from an improvised explosive device. He strongly believed in service, discipline, physical training, and developing the abilities of those he commanded. He was known to care for his men, but did not expect them to do anything he could not do. He was known for always being out front as a leader. This scholarship was established by friends, family, and colleagues in his memory.