Linda G. Richards Endowment Grant

This Endowment honors the life and work of Linda Richards, a beloved high school volleyball coach well-known throughout the state of North Carolina. Known for setting high expectations for her players, Linda encouraged them to play to win and to play with heart. The majority of Linda’s career was spent at Fred T. Foard High School in Catawba County. She also taught at Newton Conover High School in Newton. She retired from teaching in 2013.
During her 27 years of coaching volleyball Linda, known as LR to her players and friends, amassed over 500 wins, had a perfect 30-0 season in 2002 and led her teams to total of five state volleyball championship titles.
In 2012 Linda was named the Doris Howard Female Coach of the Year by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
In 2015 Linda was inducted into the Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame. In 2019 she was inducted posthumously into the Newton Conover Sports Hall of Fame.
In the spring of 2019, the volleyball court/gym floor at Fred T. Foard’s Jerry Copas Gymnasium was dedicated to her.
In April 2019 Linda lost her brave 2-year battle against ovarian cancer.
The Linda G. Richards Endowment supports female high school volleyball coaches in North Carolina public schools by awarding grants which can be used to purchase volleyball equipment, to support professional development of coaches, and to support the operation of summer volleyball camps.
A Richards Grant may not be used to purchase clothing or other items which are the responsibility of the schoo1 to provide. Grants may be used to fund attendance at coaches' clinics or other professional development activities related to coaching volleyball. Preference will be given to female high school volleyball coaches in Catawba County. One grant, up to $500, is available to be awarded.
Download the application form by clicking on "Download File" shown below.
During her 27 years of coaching volleyball Linda, known as LR to her players and friends, amassed over 500 wins, had a perfect 30-0 season in 2002 and led her teams to total of five state volleyball championship titles.
In 2012 Linda was named the Doris Howard Female Coach of the Year by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
In 2015 Linda was inducted into the Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame. In 2019 she was inducted posthumously into the Newton Conover Sports Hall of Fame.
In the spring of 2019, the volleyball court/gym floor at Fred T. Foard’s Jerry Copas Gymnasium was dedicated to her.
In April 2019 Linda lost her brave 2-year battle against ovarian cancer.
The Linda G. Richards Endowment supports female high school volleyball coaches in North Carolina public schools by awarding grants which can be used to purchase volleyball equipment, to support professional development of coaches, and to support the operation of summer volleyball camps.
A Richards Grant may not be used to purchase clothing or other items which are the responsibility of the schoo1 to provide. Grants may be used to fund attendance at coaches' clinics or other professional development activities related to coaching volleyball. Preference will be given to female high school volleyball coaches in Catawba County. One grant, up to $500, is available to be awarded.
Download the application form by clicking on "Download File" shown below.