Double overtime

Standout hoopster pursues degrees in math and engineering from two colleges

If there is a single word that sums up Zac Richards, it is "determination."

Richards came to Birmingham-Southern with a passion to play basketball, but once here, he also found his niche academically. Rather than choosing between majoring in mathematics or pursuing BSC’s 3-2 dual degree program in engineering, he found that at BSC he could do both.

This provided an extraordinary opportunity for the student-athlete to enroll in the college’s dual degree program for a double major. Once Richards completes academic requirements at BSC and its partner institution according to schedule, he will be awarded a bachelor of science degree with a major in mathematics from Birmingham-Southern in May 2013 and a mechanical engineering degree from UAB in May 2014.

Zac Richards ’13

"I take one engineering class at UAB each semester, and one or two in the summer, along with three BSC classes each term," he explains. "The program allows me to play ball all four years for BSC, while still graduating in five years as planned, with an extra degree in math."

A Hoover High School graduate, Richards scored an impressive 33 on his ACT prior to enrolling in college, which earned him several scholarships. He says he chose BSC because of the combined opportunity to be able to earn a great and nationally recognized education while also being able to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level in a successful program.

Richards admits he is strongly competitive, and the 6-6 junior forward is coming off his best season as a Panther. Averaging 12.6 points per game, he has helped lead the Panthers to their first-ever SCAC Championship appearance in Division III (BSC will host the men’s and women’s championships Feb. 24-26) and to a ninth-place ranking nationwide. The Panthers currently stand at 24-1 on the season. The team’s near spotless record has even captured the attention of the national media.

When performing on the court, however, it’s Richards’ big hair that grabs the attention of fans. Unaware of what family gene may have led to his naturally thick, curly brown locks, he says he is amused by the comments he receives.

"The most common things I get are Jackie Moon, Napoleon Dynamite, and recently one guy yelled that I had a raccoon on my head,” laughs Richards, who is the eldest of three boys. “I’ve had my fro from my sophomore year in high school. I still get asked if I’m biracial, but not as much as in high school."

Richards earned all-SCAC Honorable Mention in 2010-11, attained 2012 Capital One Academic All-District Team, and achieved SCAC Player of the Week for Nov. 28, 2011, and Feb. 6, 2012. Zac Richards ’13

Although a consummate student-athlete, his resume includes more than school and sports. His community involvement through reading and tutoring local schoolchildren and assisting at BSC’s youth basketball camps during summers reveals the humbleness in his character.

Though blessed with many gifts, Richards’ journey has not been without challenges. As a baby, he was diagnosed with Perthes Disease, which caused his growth plate in his right hip to close early. His hip down to his knee is two inches shorter on his right leg.

"I wear a two-inch lift on that foot to reduce the back pain that would have occurred while playing basketball,” says Richards, who started in the sport in first grade. “In high school, doctors worried that I would not be able to sit through an entire day of school without being in too much pain. But now I'm playing basketball."

Recently, he visited a family at a local hospital whose 6-year-old son was just diagnosed with the disease. Richards took his mom along with him so she could talk to the boy’s mother.

"This medical issue has helped shape me as a person,” he shares. “It taught me to never give up on a dream or goal—that I can overcome any obstacle and that nothing can stop me from doing the things that I love."

Richards uses the time management skills his mom taught him to balance his schedule each day. Aside from the classes required for his double major, he cites Intro to Philosophy with BSC Professor Dr. Steven Hendley as one of his favorites.

"I learned about many interesting topics from ancient philosophy to modern philosophy,” he notes. “However, the part of this class I enjoyed the most is how hard it made me think. He required us to really dive deep into the material we were studying in order to reach a firm grasp on it and to develop our own opinions about it. Whether I agreed or disagreed, I was required to present a strong argument for my claim, while also presenting a counter argument to opposing claims. I love debate as well as problem solving."

When not studying or training or tutoring, he enjoys snowboarding, surfing, and wakeboarding. He also attends as many of his brothers’ basketball and baseball games as possible. But as much as he enjoys these activities, they pale in comparison to eating with friends at his favorite restaurant.

"My teammates and I frequent the hibachi grill restaurant in Hoover called Yuki,” he says. We go there entirely too often, but it is simply that good!"

Even as he tackles a tough schedule, Richards is grateful for the opportunities Birmingham-Southern has afforded him.

"I love being a student-athlete at BSC and couldn’t be happier with my choice about coming here,” he remarks. “All of the professors love what they do and are here because they want to be, which makes classes much more interesting."

Richards doesn’t know yet specifically what he’ll do with his double degrees. He does know he’d like to stay around the sport of basketball and be involved in some way.

"Basketball is not my main focus though, so I’ll probably enroll in graduate school next,” he says. “I’m not sure where I’d go, but most likely outside of the South, just because it’s where I’ve been almost my entire life."