Tech Topics - Fall 2008 - (Page 49) YELLOW JACKETS STANLEY LEARY By Van Jensen D arryl Richard is a busy guy. He is one of the leaders of Georgia Tech’s defensive line and his hard work could put him in the NFL next year. And as a student he’s on the ACC AllAcademic team and will have an MBA by December. Even with all those hours studying and practicing, when Richard, Mgt 07, saw an e-mail from Susan Herbst, executive vice chancellor for the University System of Georgia, asking if he’d represent Tech’s student body on the presidential search committee, he knew he couldn’t pass it up. “She asked, ‘Would you mind?’” Richard said. “It wasn’t a question to me. To be able to express the views of my peers to lead the Institute further, that’s an obligation.” So in addition to serving as one of the few experienced leaders in the inaugural football season of coach Paul Johnson and finishing up his graduate degree, Richard is helping guide Georgia Tech toward a replacement for former president Wayne Clough as the only student on the search panel. For now, that means meeting with student organizations and deciding what students want from the next president. Eventually he and the 19 other committee members will interview candidates and voice their preferences. While Richard is a 6-foot-4-inch-tall, 290-pound monster as a defensive tackle on the football field, he said he won’t be doing any intimidating when it comes to interviewing presidential candidates. “They have some powerful people on the committee,” he said with a laugh. “You get in a room like that, there are some heavy hitters.” Richard grew up in Destrehan, La., a town just west of New Orleans. Academics were always important in his household, he said, as he and his siblings would compete over grades as much as sports. “To be able to express the views of my peers to lead the Institute further, that’s an obligation.” “It was always a competition,” he said. “I think you should always want to be the best at what you do.” He eventually chose Georgia Tech because it represented “the best combination of athletics and academics,” he said. “At some places, there’s a tradeoff between the two. Georgia Tech has provided me with the opportunity to excel as a person.” Richard had long planned to go into a legal career, but he’s enjoyed his business studies so much that he’s not sure anymore. Working with people is his passion, he said. Of course, another career option is likely to present itself next spring when the National Football League holds its draft. Richard is rated as one of the 10 best defensive tackles in college football by several scouts. Though Richard has aspirations in the business world, he’s not coy about his desire to play football on Sundays. “It’s not all for fun, I promise you that,” he said of the time he spends playing and practicing. For the moment, though, Richard’s football focus is on the upcoming Georgia Tech season, which opens Aug. 28 at Bobby Dodd Stadium against Jacksonville State. The Yellow Jackets have a young team this year and are adapting to the new style brought in by Johnson and his staff. Richard said he likes the new coaches and not just because they’re promoting a more aggressive defense. They’re also stressing teamwork and accountability, he said. That means not being concerned about statistics and personal accomplishments. “I think for years we’ve set goals, that it’s all about big plays,” he said. “But I want to step back and look qualitatively at our performance. Are we improving every week? “If you play a season like that, you’ll have a special season.” TechTopics | Fall 2008 49
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