opportunity she didn’t want to miss—getting to come back to the place where it all began and see some friendly faces. “It means so much. It takes a village, right? This award is a reflection of my family, my professors, everybody who took a chance on me,” Richardson said with a smile. “So I look at the honor as being an award for multiple people who helped lift me up along the way. It means so much because I’m proud to be a Greyhound.” So the next time you catch a professional basketball game— particularly if it involves the high-flying Houston Rockets with championship aspirations—keep watch for a sideline reporter with the dream job and Greyhound roots. With a spring in her step, a sparkle in her eyes, and a love for the game, Vanessa Richardson is shooting for the stars, thanks to hard work and hands-on experiences that launched her career from the classrooms at Esch Hall and WICR radio all the way to the national stage.
“I knew I wanted to be in the live sports space, so I feel very fortunate,” Richardson said. “This is a very competitive industry that takes a lot of work. So it feels really great to be able to do what I love, and I’m definitely enjoying it.” Wherever she goes, she carries the memories of her time at UIndy with her: the close-knit nature of a campus where just about everyone knows each other, the rich pageantry and bright colors of the annual Celebration of Flags, and the excitement of Homecoming. “I have tons of great memories. Every time my parents would visit me, they felt so welcomed. I love the community that UIndy is and the alumni network. It feels like a really intimate college experience, yet with big opportunities.” In September—right in the middle of the WNBA playoffs— Richardson received the 10-Hounds Distinguished Young Alumni Award from the UIndy Alumni Association. It was an
“To this day, I am so thankful for the small class sizes and the hands-on learning style. And being in a big city like Indianapolis with tons of opportunities in sports is something that just cannot be replicated elsewhere.”
—Vanessa Richardson ’17 (Communication)
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UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS
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