Siena University Athletics

One of Siena's most prolific runners, Richard Coughlin made an immediate impact on the school's cross country program as he was voted the team's top freshman in the fall of 1978. That was a sign of things to come as the four years ahead provided similar honors and accomplishments. In cross country, he was a team captain for three years and led the team to an undefeated season as junior. He placed first in the LeMoyne Invitational, Albany State Invitational, and Capital District Championships as a senior and was named the team's most valuable runner. That same year, he established a school record for the five mile course at Van Cortlandt Park.

He lost just one indoor track race as a senior and holds school records in the 1,000 meters, 1,500 meters, and one mile run. He was the New York State champion in the 3,000 meters and competed in the Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden. His resume also includes four years of outdoor track in which he competed in the Junior National Championships, Penn Relays (three times), and IC4A Championships (three times). He set New York State Championships records in the 5,000 meter run as a junior and the 1,500 meter run as senior.