UMass Boston

Boston State College Assistant Coach Barry Hickman said, “Richie was an exceptional defensive star with speed, quickness, instinct, and strength. He was a true scientist on the field who had the agility to make tackles from sideline to sideline.” Jim Kent, Hall of Famer and former University of Massachusetts Boston Head Football Coach from 1984–993, says of his teammate Richie, “He learned early on the best way to play the game is to hit your opponent harder than he hits you. It’s self-preservation. Off the field he was a thoughtful and caring person, on the field he was a ferocious middle linebacker who had only one goal in mind, to be the best.” Jim Collins ’73, Hall of Famer and teammate, says of Richie, “Coach Kent and I played both football and lacrosse with Richie and he was a spectacular athlete. He always had an overwhelming desire to make the play. He was devoted to his team and played every game as though it was his last one."

Richard Young is one of the greatest two-sport athletes ever to play at this university. He was All-Conference in both football and lacrosse while leading each to league championships. He was a legendary middle linebacker on the Boston State College New England Football Conference Champions of 1974. He was All-Conference twice. Richie was a defensive midfielder on the 1972 Boston State College lacrosse team that won the Colonial League Championship as well as their first invitation to the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) National Championship Tournament. He was All-Conference and co-captain and led the Warriors to two Colonial League Championships. Boston State College Head Football Coach Lary Kuharich said, “Richie possessed a desire to excel that few have ever equaled. He was without a peer as a leader, an inspiration on the field, a fierce competitor, and the heart of the Warriors defense.