The moment that changed Richard Bechard's life didn't come during a game, a championship celebration, or in a packed gymnasium. It came quietly, during a conversation with a college basketball coach who saw something in him that he hadn't yet seen in himself. 

"Have you ever thought about going into coaching and becoming a teacher?" the coach asked. 

Bechard was more than a little taken aback. 

"I went to college and wanted to be a fish and game biologist," Bechard recalled. "Love the outdoors and love to hunt and fish. Thought would be a great way to stay connected. Played basketball at Barton County and my college coach one day sat me down and asked me that question. That was the day I would change my thinking about life and my future." 

That simple question redirected Bechard's path — and, ultimately, the lives of thousands of Kansas students, coaches, and administrators over a 42-year career. In 2026, Bechard's influence on Kansas high school activities reached its ultimate recognition when he was inducted into the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame. 

His induction came last Friday at Holton High School, where he was honored at a place where he began his hall of fame career. 

"It is very exciting," Bechard said. "Quite surprised and quite honored." 

Bechard began teaching in Stockton in 1980, thinking it would be his lifelong stop. 

His first athletic director role came almost by accident — asked to help with scheduling with no extra pay or time off. But a state conference opened his eyes to what athletic administration could mean. 

"When I came home I told my wife right away that I wanted to get an administrative degree and be an athletic director," he said.  

After stops in Norton and then Holton, Bechard found what he calls the launching point of his administrative career. At Holton, where he served as athletic director and assistant principal for 16 years, he shaped a program centered on character, relationships, and purpose. 

"When I was a basketball coach, I had a great impact on 20-25 kids," he said. "As an AD, I could have an impact on every kid in that building. That was a lot of motivation for me." 

He credits the community and staff for embracing his vision of education-based athletics. 

"They followed my lead on how we wanted to have character-based programs," he said. "Throughout my career, I didn't chase success. I felt like I was just trying to make a difference and success just found me." 

Bechard's philosophy has long been centered on what he calls significance. He believes athletic administrators and coaches play one of society's most influential roles. 

"You are leading the most important people into society," he said. "I love to win, and I am very competitive, as long as you keep your purpose and that is preparing them for later in life." 

That mindset carried him to Blue Valley, where he served as district athletic director from 2006-2014, overseeing multiple high schools and middle schools. 

"At Blue Valley, I had the opportunity to have a greater impact on not just one high school but five," he said. "Blue Valley really pushed to do things beyond district boundaries. Be active state and nationally and I think we did that." 

Bechard's influence extended far beyond Kansas. He served on the Kansas Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Board of Directors for nearly two decades and became a nationally recognized leader through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. 

In 2021, Bechard became the first Kansan in history to earn the Certified Master Athletic Administrator designation — the highest professional credential in athletic administration. Two years later, he was inducted into the NIAAA Hall of Fame. 

"Through my time on the national board, I got invitations to go to state conferences and speak," he said. "I don't think there is a state where I don't know someone personally. NIAAA is family." 

Despite being involved with more than 100 state championships during his career, Bechard says the most meaningful memories aren't about trophies. 

"The ones that stick out with me are the ones where I see the kids that hardly gets to play and hits a shot in a basketball game," he said. "You don't have to be good to get good out of a program." 

He believes every student deserves to feel valued. 

"I valued the custodian as much as the superintendent," he said. "I want every kid to feel valued no matter their role." 

Through his 40-plus years in administration, Bechard has a big 'family.' Whether it was in Holton, Blue Valley or in the KIAAA, he developed many relationships along the way. 
 

However, it was his actual family that made the biggest impact on his life. 

In 2012, Bechard faced a challenge far bigger than athletics: he needed a kidney transplant. His wife was initially scheduled to donate, but a blood issue prevented it. Then his oldest son, Ryan, stepped forward — and turned out to be a perfect match. 

"It was a tough time in my life, but I am so thankful he was able to do that," Bechard said. 

The story carried profound meaning for the Bechard family. Ryan had been adopted at a time when Richard and his wife believed they could not have children on their own. 

As it turned out, the Bechard's were able to conceive as they had two more children naturally. They didn't understand why things happened the way they did until decades later. 

"We didn't realize at the time just how blessed we were," Bechard said. "The fact Ryan was a perfect match to be my kidney donor was just beyond words." 

He calls it one of life's great blessings in disguise. 

"Ryan helped save my life," he said. "Didn't think at the time that us not being able to have children would make such a big impact on my life. I just feel blessed." 

Sports has long been part of the Bechard family DNA. His brother Don coached Manhattan to a state volleyball title and Gardner-Edgerton boys basketball to a state championship. His brother Ray became the winningest volleyball coach in the history of the University of Kansas, and his brother Harold became a longtime Kansas sportswriter. 

"Our whole family seemed to be centered around sports," Bechard said. "Growing up it was a fight to see who could get the sports page first. Blessed to have a mother and father that gave us what we needed and not what we wanted." 

Now, the next generation is carrying that legacy forward. His son Brent Bechard is the activities director at Mill Valley and will serve as the Kansas Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association president. 

"Honestly, it probably meant more to our family than it did to him," Brent said of his father's Hall of Fame induction. "To him, he was just doing his job." 

Growing up in Holton, Brent watched his father work long hours and do tasks many wouldn't expect of an athletic director. 

"I can remember numerous times helping him paint lines on the football field or tape the volleyball court," he said. "Things that many people wouldn't expect an AD to do." 

Brent said his father's example shaped his career path and his selfless acts inspired him to want to do the same. 

"There wasn't ever pressure from either of our parents when choosing a career path," Brent said. "They allowed us to navigate our career paths on our own. They were more concerned with the quality of work once the path was chosen. If we were doing what we wanted and doing it to our best ability, that was enough for them.  

"With that said my dad still had a great influence on my career path whether he intended to or not. Growing up and watching the impact he had on people in general, how could a son not want to emulate their dad? I wouldn't change anything about him being my AD through high school. He knew when it was time to be the AD, but more importantly he knew when it was time to be dad." 

Relationships — family or otherwise — Bechard believes that is what leads to success and it is the teamwork that makes the dream work. 

"When I went to Blue Valley, I had two rules: no profanity, and I want every kid to feel valued," he said. "Kids will go above and beyond for you if you have their best interest." 

Even in retirement, he continues mentoring schools and speaking nationally about education-based athletics, character development, and leadership. 

"Every stop was the right one and I feel like I was right place and the right time," he said. 

Bechard's Hall of Fame induction represents far more than career milestones and national awards. It reflects a philosophy that guided every decision — that athletics should build people, not just programs. 

"No one gets to the point I have without the need of a team," he said. "Whether it was administrators, coaches, parents, clearly my wife and family. There is no way to do it all alone." 

For Richard Bechard, the legacy isn't measured in banners or titles. It's measured in lives shaped, values taught, and moments that mattered long after the final buzzer sounded. 

And it all started with a coach's question — and a young college student willing to listen.