University High School Track and Cross Country Coach Richard Kampmann Inducted into CIF Hall of Fame

I was delighted to attend a very special occasion honoring University High School's legendary running coach Richard Kampmann (1925- 2017), at his induction into the California Interscholastic Federation High School Sports Hall of Fame (CIF).

The event was held Sunday April 16, 2023 in Granada Hills, with more than 450 people at the dinner ceremony, there to honor 17 coaches posthumously, recent coaches and outstanding high school athletes.

This is an every 2 year event which recognizes sports records naturally, but more importantly individual commitment to integrity, dedication to teaching, setting standards of competition, devotion to academics, sportsmanship and humanitarian ideals.

The Uni-high entourage included coach Kampmann's son Bill and wife Karen, their son Christopher, coach's assistant mr Perelman, plus Uni runners Demetrious Connor, Francisco Campos and wife Angeline, Sean Holland, Rafael Olivares, and myself.

There are winning, successful, popular high school coaches coast to coast. Beloved and iconic.

Coach Kampmann defined those qualities. Uni highs running coach & athletic director brought distinction to our school from 1960 to 1985, and inspired thousands of track and field, cross country athletes every step of the way, thru his encouragement, respect, compassion and tireless dedication to his student athletes.

Richard Kampmann coached at other schools before Uni and even coached the first Pepperdine girls cross country team after Uni.

Long after his coaching career, he said at a 90th surprise birthday party in 2015, "when i came to Uni i found heaven." We who ran for him were lucky, and we knew it. Great to be at his induction to the CIF hall of fame.

Sincerely, Chuck Levin, Unihi Class of '65 Track and Cross Country.