Kay Richards Sportsmanship Award

   In 2024, the IP Classic formed The Kay Richards Sportsmanship Award to be presented on Sunday to the team that best represents the qualities that Kay exemplified.  Kay Richards was an integral part of the landscape of sports in Georgetown County from the 1930’s through the 1980’s.  Mr. Richards was a graduate of Winyah High School.  He attended Presbyterian College and Clemson University before returning home to serve as the Athletic Director of Georgetown County for 22 years. 

      Kay was known as “a mentor of mentors and a coach of coaches”.  Along with coaching and umpiring numerous sports in Georgetown County, Kay was an assistant coach at Winyah & Georgetown High Schools for years.  He was inducted by Dixie Youth Baseball USA into the Danny Jones Scholarship Club.  To be named to this club, Mr. Richards had to be nominated by the Dixie Youth Baseball National Board of Directors.

      For many years, the multi-purpose recreation field in Georgetown was named in his honor.  On any given day, someone could watch a football game, soccer game, softball game or baseball game on Kay Richards Field at East Bay Park.  It is very appropriate that the field that served many purposes was named for him, because Kay Richards served many purposes as a man. Kay Richards was someone who commanded respect, because he always gave respect. He was a husband, father, grandfather, businessman, mentor, friend, and coach.  

Recipients

2024- Blue Ridge Tigers coached by Travis Henson