Eastern Oregon University Athletics

1994's recipient of the Meritorious Service Award. Stephenson played basketball at Eastern for two years. He earned his bachelor's degree in Education in 1980 and completed his master's in 1984. During his first season at Eastern he led the Mounties to a 14-11 record and a tie for the Evergreen Conference Championship. He led the team in scoring with 368 points and rebounds with 232, and was an Honorable Mention All-District selection. During the 1979-80 season, Rick led the team in assists and was thr second leading scorer and rebounder during the first 12 games at Eastern recording a 9-3 record. But he suffered a season-ending knew injury in the next game and the Mountaineers went on to end the season with a 14-13 record. While completing his master's coursework, Rick was a men's basketball assistant coach. In the fall of 1982 Rick returned to Inglewood, CA, where he became a physical education teacher and coach at Crosier Junior High. Beginning in 1992 he became an assistant at Crenshaw High School; the team has won the CA State 4A Championships both seasons. Each year Rick contributes much of his free time to working with inner-city students , raising money to attend sports camps away from the city. Since 1983 he has been bringing boys and girls basketball teams to the summer camps at Eastern. Over 300 young athletes have benefited from Rick's devotion to the young people of his hometown.