Sul Ross State University strength and conditioning and linebackers coach C.J. Richardson received a pleasant surprise Thursday receiving the 2017 Academic Excellence in Coaching Award.

Born in Boulder, CO, Richardson grew up in Chicago, where he attended Marian Catholic High School. He played linebacker and defensive end for the football team while also wrestling and playing tennis.

While attending the University of Colorado, Richardson began his coaching career, coaching football and girls' tennis at Centaurus High School. He coached football for six years while also serving as the strength and conditioning coach, coaching the varsity linebackers and serving as head coach for the junior varsity team. He also was the head girls' tennis coach for six years.  During his final year coaching at Centaurus, he also volunteered as the strength and conditioning coach for the football team at Colorado School of Mines.

After earning a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism at Colorado, Richardson was an intern at Air Force, working with the football team's strength and conditioning program.  He then earned a master's degree in Sports and Performance Psychology at the University of the Rockies, and moved on to Prairie View A&M, where he earned a Master's degree in Physical Education while serving as an assistant football coach on the same staff as Lobo head coach John Pearce.