In his 10 seasons as the Cerritos College track and field and cross country head coach, Chris Richardson has always worked hard to find new techniques to help his student-athletes improve. During his tenure, he has led his teams to a laundry list of individual awards, ranging from All-Americans to state championships, Southern California championships and conference champions. His successes have been rewarded, as Richardson is the 2022 recipient of the Joe Vigil Sports Science Award from the United States Track & Field.

The Joe Vigil Sports Science Award recognizes a coach who is prolific in the areas of scholarship and teaching. They contribute to coaching literature by presenting cutting edge sport science research findings through presentations and publications. This coach also utilizes scientific techniques as an integral part of his/her coaching methods, creates innovative ways to use sport science, and disseminates this information through various teaching methods and educational opportunities.

"I am truly honored to receive the Joe Vigil: Sport Science Award from USATF Coaches Education," stated Richardson. "Coaches education is a major part of who I am today as a coach and leader, solely because of the people I get to work with and coaches I get to teach. My fellow instructors are a pure source of motivation to be the best version of myself. The amazingly great instructors that came before me that I consider mentors and friends."

As a track and field athlete for Cerritos from 2004-05, Richardson was a two-time state champion in the decathlon and in 2005 set a new state record by accruing 41 team points by himself, winning the state championship in the long jump (24' 7") and javelin (191' 1"). Additionally, he won the South Coast Conference championship in each of those events, along with the discus. His 6980 decathlon points were a school record until 2014. In addition, his marks in the javelin and long jump still rank third and fourth, respectively in school history. After his sophomore season, Richardson competed in the Junior National Championships and came in fourth place. He was also a NACAC gold medalist in the decathlon.

Richardson and his Falcons men's and women's track and field team will begin their 2023 season in February.