“A Night with Nolan” - A Celebration 44 Years in the Making

Introductions

It was a night of great jubilation as Western Texas College Athletics invited back the 1980 men's national basketball championship team. After forty-four years, Head Coach Nolan Richardson and his team received a proper celebration and recognition. Also in attendance was the Lady Dusters who participated on the women's basketball team during the same seasons. 

Head Coach Matt Hardy, current Western Texas men's basketball, was the host speaker and began the night with a grand introduction of each member from the 1977-80 teams. A slideshow presentation was able to display headshots of all members while being introduced. In the first standing ovation of the night, Head Coach Nolan Richardson was introduced as the man of the hour. 

Announcements

Coach Hardy announced that Western Texas Athletics worked with the city to make September 28, "Nolan Richardson Day in the City of Snyder". A proclamation from the Mayor of Snyder, Stephanie Ducheneaux, was read as it highlighted Coach Richardson's incredible career and positive impact on the city. Dr. Robert Clinton Jr, the late Western Texas College president from 1969-81, was also honored with his son and wife in attendance. Many other former and current members of Western Texas College were recognized for their time at the college surrounding the achievement and celebration of the event. 

Jason West, the Western Texas College Board of Trustees President, delivered a speech expressing his appreciation for the players and Coach Richardson returning to Snyder for the celebration. He discussed his history with the men's basketball program and admiration for the City of Snyder and Western Texas College. Followed was a speech from the Westerners current athletic Director, Tammy Davis. As a former coach herself, she praised the success of the former Westerners and coach Richardson for a perfect season. Davis talked about the importance of connecting with the community and utilizing the opportunities that junior college athletics can bring. She thanked and congratulated the championship team for paving the way and setting a standard of excellence on and off the court for current and future student-athletes. 

A beautiful blessing from President Mr. West preceded the dinner. Western Texas took pride in trusting their student-athletes to act as waiters, waitresses and servers for the night. The guests were served a meal from a local Snyder restaurant, Blackland Smokehouse. 

The Chase for Perfection

After dinner, Coach Hardy recounted the history of Coach Richardson's time at Western Texas College. Just two years before Coach Richardson took over the Westerners basketball squad, the program had won the national championship. With immediate pressure to win, Coach Richardson showed immediate success. In his first year at the helm, his team finished first in conference, first in the region and placed 11th at the NJCAA national tournament with a record of 30-8. His sophomore year in charge, he again finished first in conference and in regionals. Coach Richardson improved to a 34-5 record and went deeper into the NJCAA tournament with a fourth place finish. 

Since the birth of the NJCAA in 1948, there have only been six perfect undefeated seasons in men's basketball. Coach Richardson's 1979-80 team was one of them with a record of 37-0. "Expectations were high at the beginning of the '79-80 season, coming off of a deep tournament run the year before finishing fourth", Hardy remarked. He continued, "With the nucleus of the players returning, the eyes of the basketball world were on Snyder, Texas. And they didn't look away all season". 

The team was ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll to start the season. Coach Hardy went through the impressive wins that the Westerners earned in the regular season along with Coach Richardson's third consecutive conference and region championship victories. Coach Hardy also read an article from the local publication Snyder Daily News sports editor, Bill McClellan, titled "How Do You Beat Richardson's Westerners?". The team had defeated Jefferson State out of Alabama 85-72 in the NJCAA national title game. Paul Pressey was named tournament MVP, the late Greg Stewart was named to the all-tournament team and the late Phil Spradling earned the sportsmanship award. Coach Hardy went deep into the Western Texas Athletics archives and created a slideshow of photos from the championship run that allowed the guests to see the journey. 

Rings and Awards

With the success Coach Richardson attained in his short time at Western Texas College, he soon left after the 1979-80 national title for a position as Head Coach at the University of Tulsa. Along with the players advancing in their collegiate and professional careers, the team never received their rings for the championship. "This team, arguably and in my opinion the greatest junior college team to ever play, never received national championship rings. We are going to fix that tonight", said Coach Hardy. 

One by one, Coach Hardy announced and awarded the members of the 1979-80 team their championship rings. It was a long overdue presentation that recognized and appreciated the team and Coach Richardson's hard work in their perfect season. A player of that team, Paul Pressey, went on to have an incredibly  successful NBA career spanning over 11-years as a player and 24-years as a coach. Following the ring ceremony, Pressey spoke about Coach Richardson's not only on the court, but in the community and individuals around him.  "He [Coach Richardson] made the community of Snyder be a part of the university and that to me is very special", said Pressey. He continued, "The town became part of us, we became part of the town". 

Joseph Mendoza, Adam Beadle, Melvin Patrick, Dwight Williams and the late Lionel Nicholson Jr. (represented by his brother Les were given awards). Though they were not a part of the 1979-80, the men were honored as key pieces that laid the foundation for the championship run playing with the team prior to the title victory. The basketball trophies included their name along with Proverbs 1:17 that reads, 'Iron sharpens iron'. Pressey praised the former Westerners by stating, "They sharpened the iron for us and they are the reason we are here today. None of this happens without those guys putting things in place". 

Head Coach Noland Richardson

Pressey once again stood at the podium to speak about the time he spent at Western Texas College and playing for Coach Richardson. Speaking to Coach RIchardson behind him, Pressey said, "Coach, thank you for everything that you instilled in us, it was badly needed". He quotes one of Coach Richardson's sayings, "'You send me a boy, I will send you a man back' and that is what you did with us, thank you". 

Coach Richardson took to the podium to speak about his journey that began at Western Texas College. He began, "I am so proud of the ones who were able to make it here tonight, which gives me the opportunity to see some players that I have often thought about throughout my whole life because the Junior College of Western Texas was the beginning of my career in basketball". Coach Richardson reflected on his early life and being raised by his grandmother. He shined a light on his grandmother's words that helped him lead his Westerners teams. Coach RIchardson quotes his grandmother, "'It is not how big the dog is in the fight, it is how much fight is in the dog' and I tried to put that fight in our dogs". 

He also shared his appreciation for his wife who took care of his players, cooked for them and was a tremendous part of the family. Coach Richardson expressed his gratitude for the families of Snyder who welcomed him and his family into the town. "I always loved the little area we lived in, I always loved WTC and I was so proud and so happy that we were able to win a national championship". Coach Hardy invited the team back up to the stage for a grand announcement. 

He along with Westerners Athletics announced that the basketball games that will be played at WTC will be played on "Yvonne Richardson Court". Yvonne Richardson is Nolan Richardson's daughter who passed away after a battle with leukemia. Coach Richardson has raised around $2.5 million for various cancer charities in honor of her. Coach Hardy stated, "We are honoring the memory of Yvonne Richardson, a beloved daughter, friend and inspiration to us all. As we dedicate this basketball court in her name". Coach Hardy finished with, "Let us play here in her honor, keeping her memory alive, in every bounce of the ball, thank you coach".

Western Texas College, Westerners Athletics and the Westerners basketball program is incredibly thankful for the return of the team and being able to host this event. The department is appreciative of the guests that joined the dinner and the student-athlete workers that aided in the successful celebration. The event was 44 years in the making and the 1979-80 men's basketball NJCAA Championship team finally received their rings. 

Stay connected with the Westerners through social media. Follow Western Texas College Athletics on Twitter @WTCSportsOne. Check in with the Westerners on Facebook/WesternTexasCollegeAthleticsHPE and on Instagram @wtc_athletics.