Although Richardson was an All-Big Eight Conference player in high school, she served as the women’s basketball team’s manager for her first year-and-a-half at UW–Madison. In a turn of events, Richardson was called back on the court her sophomore season when then-coach Bobbie Kelsey added her to the roster as a walk-on, after a string of injuries on the team.

Three seasons later, Richardson herself suffered a knee injury that sidelined her for the rest of the season alongside two other teammates, allowing the current team manager, Sydney Mathiason, to follow the same path that Richardson had just a few years earlier.

Although Richardson was disappointed to be done for the season, she was excited that someone would have the same opportunity she did, telling the Wisconsin State Journal: “It’s not a very common thing from what I’ve heard. Before me doing that I didn’t know of anyone doing that here for women’s basketball before. It’s been a really cool experience to kind of lead the way for that and show people that you can do that and there are opportunities if you keep working for what you want.”

Now Richardson is preparing to graduate this May, and plans to pursue a graduate degree in physical therapy. She talks about how much she’s enjoyed being a part of the team during her time at UW–Madison, telling the State Journal, “It’s just been so incredible to be able to wear that Wisconsin jersey over and over again. That’s what I dreamed of as a little kid and my dream came true.”

Learn more about Richardson and Mathiason’s experience on the women’s basketball team reading the Wisconsin State Journal report here.