Shrider joined Miami University in 1957 as head basketball coach and guided his teams to four Mid-American Conference Championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances while compiling a record of 126-96 in nine seasons. His 1957-58 team was undefeated in MAC play with a 12-0 record and is one of only two teams in conference history to go undefeated in league play.
Despite all the athletic success, a former colleague said through a press release that Shrider also always had the highest of academic standards for his players.
“The first time I met Dick Shrider was in 1957 when he was just hired as head coach at Miami before we had assistant coaches in anything, and I became his graduate assistant,” said Darrell Hedric, a 1955 MU grad and former Miami men’s basketball coach. “Dick was a very disciplined guy. He was a great choice for Miami because he believed in what we called the ‘Miami Way.’ Dick believed in academics first, and used to think of athletics as the front porch of the university, and he wanted to do it the right way.”
Shrider was selected the Ohio Coach of the Year in 1966 in his final season as head coach. Against MAC competition, his teams amassed a 76-34 record, a winning record against every team. In 1964, Shrider assumed the role of Miami University athletic director following the death of John L. Brickels. After the 1965-66 basketball season, he retired from the coaching ranks and remained athletics director until his retirement on Dec. 31, 1988.
Along the way he touched countless people, including Karen Womack, who talked in a press release about how Shrider impacted her life and career.
“Dick Shrider was one of the most influential people in my life, both professionally and personally,” said Womack, former Miami University executive associate athletics director/senior woman administrator. “He led by example and was respected and admired by all those with whom he worked. Loyal to a fault, a Redskin/RedHawk through and through, Dick will always be remembered with great respect, admiration and gratitude for the way he lived his life and the way he cared about people and the university that he loved.”
During his time at Miami, Shrider oversaw the inclusion of women’s intercollegiate athletics and grew the department to 11 sports for men and eight sports for women. Under his watch, Miami captured 16 Reese Trophies and one Jacoby Trophy— symbols of athletic excellence in the MAC. He helped in the planning and building of Millett Hall and the athletic complex which includes Yager Stadium.
Shrider also was instrumental in winning the battle for Miami and the Mid-American Conference to remain in Division I of the NCAA. He served on the NCAA Council from 1981-85 and the NCAA Division I Basketball Committee from 1981-87.
Visitation is from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 at the Ogle and Paul Young Funeral Home, 5086 College Corner Pike, Oxford. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 at Faith Lutheran Church, 420 South Campus Ave., Oxford.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions be made in his memory to Miami University through the Men’s Basketball Endowment in Honor of Richard G. Shrider or to the endowment fund of Faith Lutheran Church. Checks should be made payable to Miami University or the Miami University Foundation and sent to Miami University, 725 E. Chestnut Street, Oxford, OH 45056.
About the Author