Get to Know: Rich Eckley
The talented administrators, coaches and staff working at our member institutions help to make the Empire 8 Conference successful. The Get to Know Feature is a way for fans to get a better idea of who these individuals are.
Rich Eckley is the Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) at Houghton College.
Where did you attend college? What was your major? I attended Penn State but changed my major so many times. I started as an architectural major then changed to gerontology. Then left to study religion to be a minister at Asberry Seminary to Princeton and along the way did my PHD at Duquesne University.
Where you a student-athlete? I was not a student-athlete. In high school, I was a wrestler and enjoyed it because of my coach who read out of philosophy books about the athletic adventure before practice and meets.
What made you chose to attend Penn State? I went to Penn State because my father spent his whole life working there so we could attend.
What interested you and brought you to Houghton? I was a minister and at the time my church pushed me into academics. Houghton has allowed me to still feel like a pastor and do scholarly work.
How did you become the FAR? The president sent me an email and requested that I think about the role. I contacted the former FAR and he made it seem easy so I agreed and then Houghton decided to apply to become Division III. But it has been a great role that allows me to integrate athletics into out campus academic program.
What is the best thing about the Houghton Campus? Houghton is unique in its location and it provides a residential feel across campus and the community.
When you hear “Houghton” what is the first word that comes to mind? Service
Who has been the most influential person during your career? Why? Bob Lyon, a professor of mine in seminary. He was a theologian that had a physical education bachelor degree, so I played baseball and racquet ball with him. We became close because of the game and being able to talk in the midst of the competition.
What do you do in your spare time? I work on cars, try to go to the gym 4-5 times a week and I read a lot.
Favorite Book: I enjoy reading young adult books. Anything my son recommends to me.
Top 3 things on your bucket list? I spent a lot of time in my 20’s getting things checked off my bucket list, like hitch hiking cross country, so I didn’t have a mid-life crisis. I enjoy traveling and my wife and I scuba dive. We like to go to Belize, so checking out the scuba sights in Belize would be amazing.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I am an open book but most people probably don’t peg me as a person who enjoys rock music.
Rapid Fire questions
Favorite food: Sauerkraut
Favorite band/musician: Jackson Brown
Favorite TV show(s): don’t watch a lot of TV
Favorite Movie: The Marvel movies
Favorite place to visit: Belize
Can’t live without: My wife