Former NCAA Champion Talks About Flyin' Frogs
10/5/2009 12:00:00 AM
Oct. 5, 2009
FORT WORTH, Texas - James Richard helped the Flyin' Frogs capture their first NCAA Championship of any kind in 1983 by running a leg on the men's 4x400 at the 1983 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Houston.
GoFrogs.com recently sat down with the school record holder to get his thoughts on the 1983 National Championship and more.
The 1983 NCAA Outdoor Championships Breakdown
TCU's great relay tradition is dominated by its championship and NCAA record holding 4x100 relays, but the Flyin' Frogs nabbed their first NCAA title of any kind in the 4x400-meter relay at the 1983 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Houston.
The Frogs, which consisted of Allen Ingraham, Richard, Keith Burnett and David Walker, claimed victory with a school record time of 3:02.09, which at that point was just .11 off the collegiate record.
Ingraham took the Flyin' Frogs out to third-place on the first leg, just .10 behind Alabama and race leader Baylor. The Frogs held third behind pre-meet favorite Baylor and the Crimson Tide as Richard ran a 45.5 leg to maintain within close range of Alabama's star sprinter, Calvin Smith.
Burnett took over for TCU on the third leg and ran a commanding lap in 45.0 to give the Horned Frogs a six-meter lead over Michigan State and Baylor.
The lead eventually vanished though as Michigan State's Eliot Tabron overtook TCU anchorman Walker on the final turn, but Walker had enough energy left to finish strong. Walker caught Tabron in the final 10 meters and held off a strong charge by Alabama's Lamar Smith, while MSU's Tabron faded to third.
Walker's final leg of 45.6 was fast enough to give TCU the victory and the senior thrust his arms skyward as he triumphantly crossed the finish line.
Richard's Q&A
What did you enjoy most about your time at TCU?
What I enjoyed most about my time at TCU were the students that I met, who came from all over the United States and other countries. Most of them became my lifetime friends and I still talk to them today.
What was it about TCU that prepared you most for the rest of your life?
My degree in criminal justice, which allowed me to have an open mind on issues that are facing our world today. It also helped me learn how to not make a rash judgment when I first meet people as I travel this vast world of ours.
Do you still follow the TCU program?
Track is in my heart and will always be. I love it when I see one of the track athletes in the news, on ESPN or in the Olympics. Yes, I still follow the TCU program and speak well of it whenever I get a chance to.
What are your impressions of the program head coach Darryl Anderson is building at TCU?
I feel that the track and field program at TCU is in great hands under the leadership of head coach Darryl Anderson. During my first encounter with him, I found him to be knowledgeable of not only the past athletes, but also where he wants to take the program in the very near future. I am with him 110 percent. He was an open book when it came to sharing his ideas and goals that he has in motion for the track and field program here at TCU. I know that coach Anderson will have great success here at TCU.
Talk a little bit about your relay teams at TCU?
As a member of four of the six relays in the early 1980's, I had a chance to meet some of the hardest working athletes from all over the world. I still to this day have a great deal of respect and humbleness for my brothers. We stayed the course to obtain our individual and group goals.
You were part of the first NCAA Championship relay team here at TCU in 1983, what was that like?
Wow, this was many moons ago, but it still feels like it was yesterday. What a feeling, we did it! Allen Ingraham, Keith Burnett, David Walker and I were a great team. We started a snowball effect and many others have gotten on the bandwagon and continued to make our program a force. I have met many athletes since then and when I mention my All-America status and NCAA Championship, they are still impressed.
Looking back on your career at TCU, what do you consider your biggest accomplishment?
First and foremost my bachelor of science degree in criminal justice, my athletic accomplishments and the friendships that I've made. Go Horned Frogs!
