Kurt Richardson Named Director of Player Engagement for Spartan Football
8/22/2023 4:08:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State has named Kurt Richardson the Director of Player Engagement for the Spartan football program.
Richardson will coordinate and spearhead the player development program and serve as a mentor for the current Spartan roster. His role will also include alumni engagement, career networking, university outreach and community service.
"Kurt has extensive experience and a proven track record of success helping athletes across all levels, from NFL to college, in their development off the field," said MSU head coach Mel Tucker. "He will be an incredible asset to our program and our players during their time at Michigan State."
"I got to spend some quality time with Coach Tucker during the interview process and really hear from him on what this position could and should be, and how we can become the elite place in America for investing in the off-the-field development for players," said Richardson. "I've had the opportunity to work with NFL teams and players the past 11 years, but to do this work in my hometown feels like where I'm supposed to be.
"I've known a lot of the players for a long time, but I'm really looking forward to getting to know everyone and getting them involved in our programming. My goal is to get everyone to understand how to leverage this time as a football player to set up your life to be successful after you're able to play. All of us are going to be Monday through Friday guys at some point, whether we turn this Saturday experience into a Sunday experience or not, and we'll all be judged from the neck up. I'm extremely fortunate to be in this position and I can't wait to start working with the players."
Richardson is the founder of Encore Athletix and he has worked for more than a decade with NFL teams and Division I football programs to facilitate the development of athletes outside of football. He has conducted unique player engagement experiences to more than 500 professional athletes and more than 1,000 NCAA student-athletes by collaborating with the NCAA Career in Sports forum, NFL Player Engagement and ESPN's Black Sports Symposium.
A native of Lansing, Michigan, Richardson has also hosted the rookie success transition program for several NFL teams, including the Dolphins, Giants, Jets, Ravens, Colts, Jaguars and Rams, and has worked with Pro Bowl players Saquon Barkley, Lamar Jackson and Ndamukong Suh. In addition, he has assisted NFL and NCAA student-athletes in attaining internships and job shadows.
Richardson graduated with a bachelor's degree in management from Thomas Edison State University and is currently pursuing a master's degree in strategic communication from Michigan State. He was elected to the Lansing Board of Education in 2022 and also serves as the Pathway to Success Mentorship Facilitator for the Los Angeles Rams.
Richardson will coordinate and spearhead the player development program and serve as a mentor for the current Spartan roster. His role will also include alumni engagement, career networking, university outreach and community service.
"Kurt has extensive experience and a proven track record of success helping athletes across all levels, from NFL to college, in their development off the field," said MSU head coach Mel Tucker. "He will be an incredible asset to our program and our players during their time at Michigan State."
"I got to spend some quality time with Coach Tucker during the interview process and really hear from him on what this position could and should be, and how we can become the elite place in America for investing in the off-the-field development for players," said Richardson. "I've had the opportunity to work with NFL teams and players the past 11 years, but to do this work in my hometown feels like where I'm supposed to be.
"I've known a lot of the players for a long time, but I'm really looking forward to getting to know everyone and getting them involved in our programming. My goal is to get everyone to understand how to leverage this time as a football player to set up your life to be successful after you're able to play. All of us are going to be Monday through Friday guys at some point, whether we turn this Saturday experience into a Sunday experience or not, and we'll all be judged from the neck up. I'm extremely fortunate to be in this position and I can't wait to start working with the players."
Richardson is the founder of Encore Athletix and he has worked for more than a decade with NFL teams and Division I football programs to facilitate the development of athletes outside of football. He has conducted unique player engagement experiences to more than 500 professional athletes and more than 1,000 NCAA student-athletes by collaborating with the NCAA Career in Sports forum, NFL Player Engagement and ESPN's Black Sports Symposium.
A native of Lansing, Michigan, Richardson has also hosted the rookie success transition program for several NFL teams, including the Dolphins, Giants, Jets, Ravens, Colts, Jaguars and Rams, and has worked with Pro Bowl players Saquon Barkley, Lamar Jackson and Ndamukong Suh. In addition, he has assisted NFL and NCAA student-athletes in attaining internships and job shadows.
Richardson graduated with a bachelor's degree in management from Thomas Edison State University and is currently pursuing a master's degree in strategic communication from Michigan State. He was elected to the Lansing Board of Education in 2022 and also serves as the Pathway to Success Mentorship Facilitator for the Los Angeles Rams.
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