Kurt Richardson - Director of Player Engagement - Football Support Staff

Kurt Richardson

Title:
Director of Player Engagement
Email:
football@msu.edu
Phone:
355-1647

Kurt Richardson joined Michigan State as the Director of Player Engagement for the Spartan football program in August 2023.

Richardson coordinates and spearheads the player development program and serves as a mentor for the current Spartan roster. His role also includes alumni engagement, career networking, university outreach and community service.

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 as well as a master’s degree in strategic communication from Michigan State, where he graduated with a 4.0 GPA . 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.