| Title: | Class of 1987 |
Richard F. Riley, Jr., your accomplishments in cross country and track are a tribute to your athletic ability, desire, and total dedication to the sport. Your long hours of practice produced not only individual records for you, but fame for Worcester State College as well. Your track exploits are truly legendary.
You were the New England College champion in the 440 yard dash in 1974, the New England Athletic Conference 440 yard champion in 1971, the New England State College Athletic Conference champion in the 220 and 440 in 1971, the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Association (ECAC) 600 yard champion in 1974 and 1975, the Massachusetts State College Conference champion in the 440 in 1972 and the 880 in 1975.
You earned 11 varsity letters while competing in outdoor track for four years, basketball for three years and cross country and indoor track for two years. Your leadership resulted in your being selected captain of both indoor and outdoor track in 1975.
You set school records in indoor track in the 440 at 49.9 seconds and in the 600 at 1:11.8 and were a member of the two-mile relay team that established a record time of 8:05.4. In outdoor track you established the record for the 440 at 48.8 seconds, the 400 meters standard at 48.5 seconds and you were a member of the mile relay team which ran 3:16.0 Those records still stand.
Following your graduation, you went on to become a highly successful track and cross country coach at Marlboro High School where your teams have compiled an amazing 234-51 (81.1 %) overall record. Your cross country teams have a 104-18 record, including seven Midland League championships, one District "E" title in 1978 and five Central Mass Division I titles. Your indoor track team has a 50-17 record including one District "E" championship and one Central Mass League championship. Your outdoor track team has a record of 80-16 and has won five Midland League titles, and four District "E" Division titles.
You are currently a teacher in the Physical Education-Health department at Marlboro High School where you also served as JV basketball coach from 1980 to 1986 before joining the Worcester State men's basketball staff this past season.
Richard F. Riley, Jr., it is with great pride that we induct you into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame.