Release courtesy of Franklin & Marshall Athletic Communications
LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall women's basketball head coach Kirsten Richter '03 has announced that she will be stepping down from her position to pursue additional educational opportunities in a master's degree program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Richter will be with the College through June 2021 to assist with transition planning. A national search will be conducted for her replacement.
"It's been a privilege and joy to work with so many talented and dedicated students and colleagues during my time at F&M," notes Richter. "I learned so much from all of them. I appreciate the opportunities and support the College has given me throughout my tenure, helping me to grow as a professional and a leader. I look forward to following the team and their successes both on and off the court!"
In addition to her 10 years as the head coach of the Diplomats, Richter served the department as the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) where she aided department-wide leadership activities, had sport oversight responsibilities, and advised the Student-Athlete Leadership Council (SALC). She additionally reinvigorated the Faculty Athletic Mentor Program within the athletic department.
Richter's direct impact on the women's basketball team was immediate when she took over the reins of her alma mater as she led the Diplomats to their first Centennial Conference Tournament victory in program history. In total, she coached nine All-CC selections, including the 2011-12 CC Player of the Year Alexa Barbush '13. Richter was fully committed to the student-athlete experience as she took her teams on international trips to Puerto Rico, Spain, and Portugal, along with several domestic trips during the College's Winter Recess.
"Kirsten works tirelessly to support the growth of students in the classroom, in competition, and in the community," said Lauren Packer Webster, director of athletics and recreation. "Her contributions to F&M are too numerous to list, and the impact of her efforts will be long-lasting."
Richter was instrumental in building alumnae engagement within the program. Those efforts were headlined by the creation of the Women's Basketball Court of Honor that celebrates the team's alumnae and their ongoing contributions to the program. Her teams also emphasized a strong commitment to community service as she created a partnership with Wharton Elementary School where the Diplomat women's basketball players would read to students weekly in those classrooms.
In addition to her immense impact on the athletic department, Richter left a lasting legacy on the entire F&M community. For nine years, she facilitated the Harwood Leadership Seminar in collaboration with the Student Affairs colleagues. Richter chaired the Student Affairs Leadership Development Working Group and served on numerous others committees on campus, including the Rouse Scholarship, Day of Dialogue, Year of Milestones/GameChangers, and many more.
After graduating from Franklin & Marshall in 2003 with her B.A. in government and a minor in public policy, Richter remained on staff with her alma mater as an assistant coach for three years. She went on to earn her M.Ed. in sports management from Millersville in 2006 where she was the recipient of the Faculty Award for academic excellence in that department.
Prior to her return to Franklin & Marshall as the head coach, Richter spent four seasons as an assistant at Randolph-Macon College where she helped guide the Yellow Jackets to a pair of ODAC Championships. Throughout her coaching career, Richter was always an active member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).