Elmhurst University Athletics

Known simply as "Rev. Joe," to generations of Elmhurst football players, Reverend Joe Richardson has been a part of the Elmhurst College community since 1964 when he enrolled in classes at Elmhurst. In 1989, he joined the College as its co-chaplain, serving as a special adviser to students and an adviser to the Black Student Union and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. At the same time, Richardson became the spiritual advisor to the Elmhurst football team. For the next 25 years, Richardson hosted an annual pizza party and get together for the football team during homecoming week. Richardson was given the title of honorary athletic chaplain in 2000.
 
The football locker room was renamed in Richardson's honor in 2000 and he is the recipient of two of the College's highest honors, the Alumni Merit Award and the Founders Medal.