MIAMI, Fla.— The Fellowship of Christian Athletes will induct former Georgia football coach Mark Richt into its Hall of Champions.
Richt will be one of eight partners and supporters of the world’s largest international sports ministry to be inducted. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the HOC class of 2019 ceremony, but this month inductees were finally able to be honored.
Rich, as an NCAA head football coach, was instrumental in hiring full-time FCA Chaplains at two major universities and has spoken at countless banquets and events for FCA throughout Florida and Georgia.
“Mark Richt has not only made contributions to the sports he loves, but also to the communities and teams to which he is committed,” said FCA President and CEO Shane Williamson. “We are immensely grateful for his service to Jesus Christ through FCA, as we welcome him to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Hall of Champions Class of 2019.”
In December 2018, Richt retired from his latest coaching post at the University of Miami—also his alma mater, where he played from 1978-1982. From 2016-2018, Richt led the Hurricanes to their first ACC Coastal title and was named ACC Coach of the Year. Richt also coached at the University of Georgia from 2001-2015, winning two SEC championships, six SEC Eastern Division titles and nine bowl games. He also has coaching experience at Eastern Carolina University and Florida State, where during his coaching tenure from 1990-2000, the Seminoles won seven consecutive ACC titles and two national championships.
Richt has a powerful testimony of coming to Christ while working as an assistant under Coach Bobby Bowden, also an FCA Hall of Champions inductee.
“He is involved in his local church,” wrote one nominator. “He is a servant leader both professionally and personally. I believe he personifies the attributes that FCA espouses in our stated values and mission.”
Richt joins Mac Barnes, Ed Christopherson, Trey Hillman, Tommy Nelson, Greg Nichols, Dr. Nelson Price and Rick Rodriguez in being inducted into the 2019 Hall of Champions. They have worked tirelessly to further the FCA vision: to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. FCA Hall of Champions honorees over the years have consisted of a mix of coaches, athletes and volunteers, including sports greats such as Tony Dungy, Tom Landry, Tom Osborne and Roger Staubach, just to name a few.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hall of Champions was established in 1991. With the new 2019 class, there are now 115 godly coaches and athletes plus board members and volunteers who have received this special tribute. They make up a group of FCA servant-leaders who have faithfully served Christ through the avenue of FCA. Their commitment to the Lord’s work has impacted many millions over the years. They are a body of teammates in Christ who have demonstrated a consistent commitment to the support of FCA, nominated by staff and board members and elected by a selection committee.
