Richardson Receives a Gold Star

This month, we’re recognizing Erika Richardson, a local Junior Team Tennis coach who is serving as a strong leader in her community, with the Gold Star Award. 

Richardson has been a JTT coach for the past two years. She began assisting with the JTT program when her oldest daughter started playing on a team.

“I have helped coach, score keep, and have been a right-hand woman to Janet Glaser [Kansas JTT Coordinator] for the past two years,” Richardson said. “The pandemic was a big challenge this year, but Janet did a fabulous job of making sure we could play and stay safe!”

Despite her current involvement and dedication to the game, Richardson didn’t pick up tennis until she got married.

“My tennis career started when I meet my husband 26 years ago. He has been an avid tennis player for his whole life,” Richardson said. “He got me interested in the game since I didn’t know much about tennis before I met him. His love of tennis has been passed onto me and our three daughters.”

Richardson says that the best part of tennis is having her family involved in it together. 

“My favorite tennis memory is getting to watch my twins battle it out against each other in summer tournaments. They always seem to end up playing each other,” Richardson said. “I enjoy watching my daughters and my husband play in tournaments.”  

When she’s not on the tennis court, Richardson teaches chemistry and physical science at Augusta High School, where she has worked for 24 years. 

USTA Kansas is proud to recognize Erika Richardson with the Gold Star Award. You can check the official list of section winners here.