Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State Athletics Hall of Fame
Strong , Rich
Rich Strong
- Induction:
- 2003
- Class:
- 1986
Men’s Basketball (1982 to 1986)
Rich Strong remains as one of the greatest CSU basketball players of the 1980s and one of the most efficient and clutch players in school history. A “thinking man’s basketball player”, Strong earned all-WAC second-team honors in 1984 and 1985 and first-team honors in 1986. When he ended his career at CSU, Strong had 1,555 career points; second only to Bill Green at the time. He also held the school record for career rebounds (805), career field foals made (629) and career field goal attempts (1,213) until Pat Durham broke his records. Strong was also awarded the Stan Bates Award for top male athlete in the WAC for 1986 and was awarded a post-graduate scholarship, the first for a CSU basketball player, by the NCAA at the conclusion of his career.
After graduation, Strong tried his hand at professional basketball in Sweden, Venezuela, Belgium and England for four years. The NCAA removed his post-graduate scholarship due to his pro career, but that did not stop him from receiving a graduate degree from the University of New Mexico. He returned to his native Albuquerque to become a high school teacher and coach.
Other Accomplishments:
Rich Strong remains as one of the greatest CSU basketball players of the 1980s and one of the most efficient and clutch players in school history. A “thinking man’s basketball player”, Strong earned all-WAC second-team honors in 1984 and 1985 and first-team honors in 1986. When he ended his career at CSU, Strong had 1,555 career points; second only to Bill Green at the time. He also held the school record for career rebounds (805), career field foals made (629) and career field goal attempts (1,213) until Pat Durham broke his records. Strong was also awarded the Stan Bates Award for top male athlete in the WAC for 1986 and was awarded a post-graduate scholarship, the first for a CSU basketball player, by the NCAA at the conclusion of his career.
After graduation, Strong tried his hand at professional basketball in Sweden, Venezuela, Belgium and England for four years. The NCAA removed his post-graduate scholarship due to his pro career, but that did not stop him from receiving a graduate degree from the University of New Mexico. He returned to his native Albuquerque to become a high school teacher and coach.
Other Accomplishments:
- Nye Award (1986)
- 17 double-double games at CSU
- Started 117 consecutive games
- 294 career assists
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