Aug. 18, 2009

Head coach Dave Hartman announced the addition of Xavier Richardson to the men and women's track and field coaching staff.

"We are extremely pleased that Xavier will be joining the UTPA Track and Field family. He brings a great deal of excitement to this position. He had first-hand knowledge of what it takes to be successful after assisting UVA capture an ACC championship this spring," said head men and women's track and field coach Dave Hartman. "I look forward to seeing him do some great things here at UTPA"

Richardson comes to the Rio Grande Valley from The University of Virginia where he spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach for the Cavaliers. Richardson's specialties included working mainly with the men and women's sprinters, hurdlers and relay teams. He not only assisted on the track but off the track as well with recruiting, strength and conditioning and other administrative duties.

"I am very excited to be joining the program at this point. I've been talking to Dave about the direction of the program and I'm excited in working with the athletes and the athletes to come in the future," said newly-named assistant coach Xavier Richardson. "I want to start building up the athletes on the squad so we can take on conference, continue onto regionals and go as far as we can go."

Richardson's efforts on the track include working with two US Olympic trials finalists, eight NCAA East Regional qualifiers and an All-Conference champion. He also contributed to the program's first time Co-Conference championship this past year.

The newly-named assistant coach was also a student-athlete at UVA where he lettered all four years of his collegiate career and holds a USATF Level I and II certification in sprints, hurdles and relays.

The addition of Richardson rounds out the coaching staff for the men and women's track and field program.

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