The 70’s were not very kind to the Scots on the basketball floor. From 1972-1978 Maryville won only 29% of their games. The Scots needed a steady, inside force. They needed a player that could score and rebound. Their prayers were answered when a 6’7” transfer made his way from the University of Tennessee.

As new head coach Rick Byrd began his tenure as MC Head Basketball Coach during the 1978-1979 season, a pair of returning starters Wayne Emme and Wade Edmond would be surrounded by the talents of Rodney Nelson, Jim Yates, Doug Tutin, and this slick shooting post-player from Knoxville.

Richard hit the ground running, posting a double-double in his first collegiate game against Tennessee Wesleyan. He sank 17 points and gathered in 11 rebounds against the Bulldogs.

During the 8th anniversary of the Cooper Athletic Center, MC defeated Warren Wilson 83-65 in their home opener. All five starters hit for double figures, including Suttle’s 15 point attack.

#44 lit Emory & Henry up for 18 points and 9 rebounds and deposited 18 points in another thrashing of Warren Wilson.

The big man had a field day shooting inside against Knoxville College. He scored 10 of the teams first 20 points en route to a 19 point, 15 rebound performance. He added a 17 point day against Transylvania, and posted double figures against Millsaps that included 14 rebounds.

MC won six of their last nine games, including an upset win over Washington & Lee in the season finale. The development of the players under Coach Byrd saw the Highlander faithful excited about next winter’s promise.

Rich played in all 24 games and averaged 8.9 rebounds and 11 points a game. He was a consistent inside scoring machine with two more seasons to dominate.

Suttle’s junior campaign saw the Scots streak to a season opening record of 7-3. With key wins over Centre and Washington & Lee, Maryville “clubbed” Carson-Newman on their own court 78-65. They thrashed Emory & Henry 105-92 and shellacked Johnson Bible 103-72.

The pivot man shot 67% from the field which was nationally ranked within the NCAA Division III.

Here is an account from the Highland Echo by Mike Weiss, “On January 22, the hated Eagles from Carson-Newman came to MC looking to avenge an earlier loss at the hands of the Scots. It was not to be, however, as MC drilled its rival from up the road 70-61.” Rodney Nelson and Rich Suttle led all Scots with 19 and 18 points respectively.

In the season finale, junior Richard Suttle had one of the finest games any Maryville College player has ever had. Maryville trounced Sewanee 87-78. The lanky pivot-man poured in 28 points, yanked down an incredible 25 rebounds, and according to Coach Byrd…”dominated the game on both ends of the floor.”

The 15 wins were the most by any Scots squad in 31 years. Suttle led the Scots in scoring, rebounds, free-throw percentage, and field-goal percentage. He was consistent with 16.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. He led his team to an overall record of 15-11.

As Richard’s junior campaign came to a close, echo’s of All-American accolades were heard in preparation for his collegiate finale.

Coach Byrd decided not to return to the hill in 1980-1981 after taking a position at Tennessee Tech. This was the beginning of Randy Lambert’s collegiate coaching career, and the cupboard was definitely not bare……Thank Goodness!

My first season was MC’s first year in the strong Old Dominion Athletic Conference. We had Dale Watson, Doug Tutin, Andrew Baker, Tom Weston, Jackie Carlton, and, of course, big Rich Suttle in the middle.

The Scots gained early momentum with what had been described by the Highland Echo as a “Herculean upset” over Southwestern of Memphis 78-62. They were ranked #7 in Division III at the time. Suttle threw down another 16 points. He was a key factor in Emory & Henry’s overtime demise with 13 points and 7 boards.

Richard hit for 11 points against Hampden-Sydney to earn their 5th ODAC win of the season 61-55. He clipped the Eagles of Carson-Newman for the second time in one season, with 14 points and a key tip-in at the end of the game. He tossed in 18 points when MC traveled to Jefferson City earlier in the year.

Big Rich scored his 1,000th point in the first half of a 78-67 ODAC victory over Washington & Lee. This is a strong milestone, especially for a player that only played three collegiate seasons. He ended the game with 16.

He followed up his milestone game with a hard fought victory over Bridgewater 79-75 on senior day. Suttle and fellow seniors Dale Watson, Doug Tutin, and Jeff Cheek were honored with a standing ovation. The man in the middle ended his career as a Scot with a 20 point effort to lead all scorers. Although they lost in the following ODAC tournament game, his efforts would lay the foundation for the future success of Maryville College Basketball.

Big Rich’s senior season saw him earn 2nd team All-ODAC accolades. He was the Scots Roundballers’ Most Valuable Player. He was an All-District and All-South Region selection, after ranking #3 nationally in free-throw percentage at an amazing 89%. He averaged 14.8 points per game and 8 rebounds during his senior tour. He was recognized as Maryville’s third male recipient of the J.D. Davis Award.

Upon graduation Richard has dedicated his life to serving young people. He has worked as a college administrator at Belmont Abbey and is currently a math instructor at Gibbs High School.

One of the leading scorers in MC history, a two-time All-South performer, a team leader, and a 2007 Maryville College Wall of Fame inductee, congratulations Richard Suttle.