Former Northwest Missouri State University head cross country/track & field coach Richard Alsup passed away Jan. 13, 2025, at the Village Care Center in Maryville, Mo., at the age of 76.
 
He took over the reins of the Bearcat cross country program in 1977 and after serving as an assistant, was named the leader of the track-and-field program in 1986. He would remain in those roles until the spring of 2008.
 
Under his direction, the Bearcat track-and-field program produced five Division II national champions, 48 All-Americans, 47 individual and nine relay MIAA titles. His 1998 cross country team captured the Great Lakes Regional Championship. He coached 52 all-conference cross country performers and six times he was chosen as the MIAA Coach of the Year in either cross country or track-and-field.
 
The Bearcat athletic programs have a strong tradition of excellence on the regional and national stage and Coach Alsup was the architect of so many of these successes. 

He coached 15 athletes who are currently in the M-Club Hall of Fame. In addition, two of his athletes received the MIAA's prestigious Ken B. Jones Award as the overall top student-athlete in the conference. His influence is seen all over the Northwest record books. Upon his retirement, Alsup-coached athletes accounted for 48 of 57 Northwest Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Records.
 
In addition to all the fine athletic performances, Coach Alsup's teams and individuals had numerous academic accomplishments and his relationship with so many student-athletes over a 31-year career at Northwest is truly amazing.
 
Coach Alsup was inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 2014. The 1992 indoor track & field team also gained induction into the M Club Hall of Fame. The 1992 squad captured the MIAA championship and placed No. 13 at the NCAA meet.
 
Originally from Tarkio, Mo., Alsup received his bachelor's degree in secondary education from Northwest Missouri State in 1973 and his master's from Northwest in 1977.

He and his wife, Mary Beth, became the parents of two children, Leigh Beth and Damon Carter. He also has five grandchildren: Jessi, Matthew, Dawson, Gianna and Barrett.
 
For Coach Alsup, the list of accomplishments seems never-ending and the connections with student-athletes and staff are immeasurable. Rest in peace, Coach!
 
Memorial Service: 1:30 p.m., Friday, January 17, 2025, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.

Open visitation begins 9 a.m., Thursday, January 16, Davis Funeral Home. There is no scheduled family visitation.
Interment: Home Cemetery, Tarkio.

The family will hold a celebration of life 5:00 P.M. Friday, January 17, 2025, A & G Restaurant, Maryville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to New Nodaway Humane Society or Village Care Center, Maryville.

Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.

www.minterfuneralchapels.com