Photo: ArkansasRazorbacks.com
The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees this month will consider a proposal to name the basketball court at Bud Walton Arena after former head basketball coach Nolan Richardson.
The university announced that Chancellor Joe Steinmetz has submitted a formal resolution for consideration by the board at its next meeting, set for March 27-28 in Hot Springs.
“Coach Nolan Richardson is not only a true Razorback legend, he is one of the most impactful coaches in the history of college basketball,” Steinmetz said. “In his 17 years at the University of Arkansas, he not only led the Razorbacks to unprecedented success, but also used his position in college basketball to help change the world around him. As the first African-American head coach in the Southwest Conference, he was a trailblazer helping to provide opportunities for many others to follow in his footsteps.”
While at Arkansas, Richardson led the Razorbacks to an overall record of 389-169, setting a school record for wins and a .697 winning percentage. He led the Hogs to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances including six Sweet 16s, four Elite Eights, three Final Fours a national runner-up finish and a National Championship.
He was elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014, the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor in 1996 and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.
Athletic director Hunter Yurachek said he knows many fans wanted to see the court named after Richardson during this past weekend’s 25th anniversary celebration of the NCAA title, but said Richardson’s legacy “is much larger than a single team or a single championship.”
Yurachek said if approved, a formal dedication of “Nolan Richardson Court” will take place next year.
