Blue Devil Alumni Spotlight: Scott Richter

Name – Scott Richter
UW-Stout graduation year – 1982
Major – Hotel & Restaurant Management
Sport Played – Gymnastics
Years Played –1978-82
Hometown (High School) – Waukegan, Ill. (Waukegan East)
Currently Reside  – Milwaukee area
 
Give us a brief synopsis of your life since graduating from UW-Stout? include job and family.
 

I managed hotels for several companies in multiple Midwestern states for 20 years, primarily for Wyndham and Marriott Hotels.  I then changed careers and led a sales force for 12 years in the wholesale beverage alcohol industry.  Following that experience, I decided to accept a position teaching full-time for three years at a college within their Hospitality Management program.  In 2018, I transferred to the Corporate Training Center at the college and now support training and development for the workforce.  My wife is also a Stout graduate and we got married in 1983.  We have been happily married for almost 38 years and blessed with a wonderful son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.
 
How are you using your Stout education in your occupation? In your daily life?
 My Stout education combined with my athletic experiences strengthened my knowledge, interpersonal skills, service and work ethic.  These attributes provided a core foundation to develop the skills and values I have and continue to apply both personally and professionally.  (Not much traction anymore with that computer class I had in the basement of the Administration Building with those punch cards)
 
Why did you choose to be a collegiate student-athlete at UW-Stout?
I competed in multiple sports/activities beginning in elementary school. I realized I enjoyed gymnastics the most throughout these years and competed in high school all four years.  Also during this period , I worked or volunteered primarily in the service industry.  Based upon my work experiences, I decided to pursue a career path in Hotel and Restaurant Management. I also knew if at all possible, I wanted to continue improving and competing in gymnastics.  Upon review, I determined Stout had both a strong men's gymnastics team with a very credible and dedicated coach as well as a Hotel and Restaurant Management program that was nationally recognized.  I was grateful to be accepted and participate in both programs for the next four years.
 
What did you like most about competing in collegiate athletics?
 Exactly, competing!  The ability to participate in competition.  Equally I enjoyed the strong team camaraderie that evolved into lifelong friendships.
 
What is the greatest lesson you learned from being a collegiate student-athlete?

Discipline.  Being a committed full credit load student-athlete can be very demanding.  Additionally I also worked at times for some income.  Adequately performing these activities requires an ongoing level of discipline to accomplish everything that needed to be done.
 
Who are the most influential persons in your athletic career?
 My parents.  My mother was a physical education teacher and my father was a lifelong handball player who won an Illinois state championship.  They were always very encouraging and supportive of involvement in athletic activities balanced with academics.  With that said, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the influence and impact of (men's gymnastics head) Coach John Zuerlein, who was my coach for all four years while competing.  Coach Zuerlein was a former gymnast that founded and built the UW-Stout men's gymnastics program.  He exemplified all the virtues you would want in your coach including dedication, patience, knowledge, support, and a much needed sense of humor a lot of the time.  He also sacrificed life and limb numerous times spotting all of us through tricks and dismounts preventing potential serious injury.
 
Which former Blue Devil student-athletes are you still in contact with? 
I am pleased to say that I remain connected with a number of my former teammates.  This includes Mike Beaupre, Barry Bian, Dave Flynn, Marty Franzkowiak, Scott Gay, Roger Hepokoski, Ron Nairne, Gary Sandin, Paul Speltz, Ryan Sweeney, Jeff Thielke, and Paul Wagner.  Over the past almost 40 years, we have maintained a tradition of reuniting at least once if not twice a year.  In addition to weddings or NYE parties, the primary events are a summer and winter "Boys Weekend".  This brotherhood is an invaluable gift resulting from my UW-Stout athletic experience.  I also appreciate staying connected with a couple of the ladies that competed on the womens team whom practiced with us in the same gym. 
 
How would your teammates describe you as a person and as a student-athlete?
Well I know it wouldn't be "highly skilled".  As a "B" player (Hatchet Man), I always felt  fortunate to compete with my teammates that were consistently smooth and skilled while performing.  I would hope in describing me, words such as supportive, committed, persistent, and fun would be included. 
 
What are some of your career highlights, both athletically and academically?
Athletically, it didn't happen often, but when we competed and won against a college with scholarship gymnasts.  Also after graduating seeing my teammates winning the national championship and some of them advancing to compete at the NCAA Division 1 National championships. Additionally,  finishing as one of the Top 5 teams nationally all four of my years.  Academically, graduating in four years despite the demands upon me, the support and friendships of several instructors, and securing a career position in my targetie field after numerous interviews and rejections. 
   
What are some other activities you were involved in on campus (or off campus) while in Menomonie?
I lived in CKTO my first two years and my floor planned and presented two of the biggest annual parties on campus being  the "Weekend Under The Stars" party in the fall and the formal "Spring Champagne Party."  I  was also involved with the Hotel Sales Management Association, worked at the Cheesy Pizza Factory and The Wooden Shoe Supper Club.  I took full advantage of all of the beautiful outdoor opportunities in the Menomonie area including biking, hiking, swimming, and some very reckless rope swing locations above the Red Cedar River.
 
Anything else we should know about your time at UW-Stout?
I am very proud that I went to UW-Stout and most grateful for the incredible experiences I had while attending.