Kurt Richardson

Biography

Kurt Richardson joined Michigan State as the Director of Player Engagement for the Spartan football program in August 2023. His role is strategically designed to help recruit and retain student-athletes by enhancing the overall player experience through comprehensive player development initiatives. Richardson coordinates and spearheads the football program's player development efforts and serves as a mentor to the current Spartan roster. His responsibilities also include alumni engagement, career networking, university outreach, and community service. In addition, Richardson has been an integral part of Michigan State's recent transfer portal recruiting success, contributing to the program securing a top-15 (No. 12) portal recruiting class in 2024 and a top-30 (No. 28) portal class in 2025. Richardson is the founder of Encore Athletix and has spent more than a decade working with NFL teams and Division I football programs to facilitate athlete development beyond the field. He has delivered unique player engagement experiences to more than 500 professional athletes and more than 1,000 NCAA student-athletes through collaborations with the NCAA Career in Sports Forum, NFL Player Engagement, and ESPN's Black Sports Symposium. A native of Lansing, Michigan, Richardson has also hosted rookie success transition programs for several NFL franchises, including the Dolphins, Giants, Jets, Ravens, Colts, Jaguars, and Rams. He has worked with multiple Pro Bowl players, including Saquon Ba