GRAND FORKS, N.D. – North Dakota Athletics mourns the loss of former North Dakota women's basketball standout Katie Richards, who passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Nov. 2. She was 45.
"We are all devastated and heartbroken to hear the news about Katie," said UND Athletics Director Bill Chaves. "She was one of the most influential alums we have had at UND and her legacy will live on forever."
Richards is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to put on the basketball uniform at North Dakota, helping the Fighting Sioux reach four NCAA Tournaments, win two North Central Conference crowns and win three straight national championships during her four years (1996-00).
Following a standout prep career where she was named Miss Basketball North Dakota, Richards played in 123 games with UND and dominated on both ends of the floor. The Hope, N.D., native finished with 1,512 points and 769 rebounds over her career to earn All-NCC honors in her junior and senior years.
In her junior campaign, Richards exploded for a career-best 18.0 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game to earn Daktronics All-North Central Region Second Team honors and was named an All-American Honorable Mention by the WBCA as part of a Sioux team that finished 31-1 and captured their third national crown.
"The news of Katie's passing is absolutely devastating," said UND women's basketball head coach Mallory Bernhard. "She was not only just one of the greats of our program, but so much more. She was a great teammate, not just to those she played with, but to with everyone that put on the North Dakota jersey. She was a great mother, dear friend and one of the most selfless people I know. Everything Katie did she did 100 percent and with all her heart."
Most recently, Richards served on the UND Letterwinners Association and was an instructor at Mayville State.
"It's hard to put into words the impact Katie had on this program," said Bernhard. "Katie was always someone I could go to for support and knew I was going to get her honest opinion both as an alum and real friend. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to meet and know Katie and her family."
For more information on North Dakota women's basketball, follow on social media @UNDwbasketball or visit FightingHawks.com.
