Colts alumni game showcases 28 years of excellence

Jun. 23—HENDERSON — When we hear the word family, we often think of those we are related to by blood or marriage, like our parents, siblings, or grandparents.

To others, the term "family" and its definition extends beyond the dictionary vernacular and applies to other important members of our life.

For Crossroads Christian basketball coach Scottie Richardson, both sentiments ring true and it was on display in Henderson on Thursday night. The 28-year coaching veteran hosted his annual alumni game of both former Colts and former players he coached at his previous stops.

Sharing the 94-foot court, whether it be with a former player that is a parent in their 20s or a recent Crossroads graduate, wasn't about the scoreboard or stats, but the celebration of Richardson and his impact.

"When I look at the guys, every one of them has a story of how we connected and how they decided to play for me. It's a special thing," said Richardson. "To see some of them playing college basketball, some of them playing overseas, or some of them in the workforce with families, is a special thing. To me, it's the best thing."

All those stories have a common denominator in Richardson and allowed him to host what turned into a special night in the Crossroads gymnasium. And while they all look back and appreciate the past, it was his former players that reminded his current team of the importance of the future.

Each year, Richardson has past players speak to his team, giving them advice on the court, but also teaching them lessons that will extend far beyond their time with the Colts.

One message in particular stood out Richardson, serving as a gentle admonition that time doesn't slow down.

"The ball is going to stop bouncing at some point and it's the connections you've made and the network that you've allowed yourself to be a part of that's going to survive," stated one of Richardson's former players at Neuse Christian.

Seeing that network of those he once coached on the court either returning to Henderson or making a trip to a city or county they've never been to, much less heard of, reminded Richardson that his philosophy is in full effect.

"Whenever I am going to coach a kid, I tell the player and the parents that it's not a one, two, or three year deal. I want to coach them for life," said Richardson. "If it's 10 years from now and they need me for something, that's real coaching. That only can happen if we have that kind of relationship."

That relationship, in the eyes of Richardson, can only be created as part of a family, something he knows is present at Crossroads.

"Sometimes family in athletics can be cliche, but for us, it's a real thing," said Richardson. "You share those experiences with one another, the good, the bad, and the ugly."

Although 23 members of his extended family were doing just that, sharing another experience on the court in Henderson, there was one person Richardson wished was there next to him to witness it: his father.

Dale Richardson passed away in 2021, but his legacy lives on through Scottie, as he follows in his footsteps. Dale was a 45-year coaching veteran in the state of Florida and even has a gymnasium named in his honor at First Christian School in Jacksonville.

"He was the role model for me," said Richardson. "I know the legacy he left and there are certainly big things to live up to."

Richardson, before winning two state titles at Tri-City Christian or coaching at the collegiate level at Bluefield College, got his start as an assistant coach under his father at Trinity Christian Academy, learning the ropes and getting a front row seat to coaching greatness.

Now, each day as he walks into his office, he's reminded of his father's coaching wins (622) and how he is on the path to emulate a career he has long admired.

Richardson currently sits at 393 wins, one of a handful of statistics that show the true success over his nearly three decades of coaching. He has produced 74 college athletes, created a 22-person coaching tree, and is the winningest coach in Crossroads Christian history.

Yet, after a coaching career that many people could only dream of, there are five words he learned from his father that keep him going.

"Never act like you've arrived," he said.