Rich's collegiate athletic career began at Graceland in 1961. During his four years as a student athlete, he earned 13 Varsity letters in basketball, football, baseball, and track. In track, Harrop threw the javelin for a Conference record 192 feet. As a basketball player at Graceland, Rich was a two time 1st Team All Conference selection,whose name appears throughout the Graceland all time record list.
Rich's high point game was 41 points, then a school record. He graduated with the school's career scoring record at the time of 1411 points. Rich graduated from Graceland in 1965, earning the Silver Seal for Excellence in Athletic Achievements. His education was continued at Miami University, Oxford, OH where he earned his Master's Degree in Health and Physical Education.
Harrop was a Head Boys/Men's basketball coach for forty years. The first 25 years were spent at the high school level: Lamoni Community Schools (1965-1977) and Watkins Memorial High School in Pataskala,Ohio (1977-1990) In the fall of 1990 Rich found himself back at his alma mater, Graceland University, coaching the men's basketball team(1990 - 2005). Last year, Harrop came out of coaching retirement to serve as the Assistant women's basketball coach. He took the reins as Head women's coach last season in January. The 2010-2011 team reached the finals of the HAAC Tournament for the 1st time in Graceland history.
Rich and his wife, Judy, a 1966 Graceland graduate have been married for forty-six years. They have two children, Kirk and Krista, who are also Graceland graduates, and five grandchildren.
COACHING HONORS
- 8 Conference Titles
- 8 Sectional Tournament Championships
- 3 District Titles
- 9 Coach of the Year Honors
- Selected to coach in the Ohio All-Stars Game (1990)
- Coached 2 first-team All-State and players of the year in Ohio
- In final season with GU men coached the Player-of-the-Year in HAAC and 1st Team All-American
- Notched his 300th career victory the SAME night as brother Walt
- Recorded 500th coaching victory on December 2, 2004.
- Received the 2005 NAIA Region 5 Coach of Character Award
| # | Name | Cl. | Pos. | Ht. | Hometown | Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Jamie Whitfield | SR | G | 5-0 | Houston, TX | Kilgore College |
| 02 | Alexis Robertson | SR | G | 5-5 | Compton, CA | Compton CC |
| 04 | Brandi Luton | JR | G | 5-4 | Kansas City, MO | Renaissance Academy |
| 10 | Amber Quick | FR | G | 5-9 | Lamoni, IA | Lamoni HS |
| 11 | Moriah Jones | JR | C | 6-0 | Raytown, MO | Raytown HS |
| 12 | Jerica Smith | SO | F | 5-9 | Kansas City, MO | Johnson County CC |
| 14 | Adria Jackson | SR | G/F | 5-9 | Artesia, CA | Cerritos College |
| 15 | Kim Madkins | JR | F | 5-8 | Wewoka, OK | Murray State |
| 23 | Maleta Daughtery | SR | G | 5-5 | Los Angeles, CA | Cerritos College |
| 24 | Florida Siaosi | SR | F | 5-11 | Apple Valley, CA | Antelope Valley CC |
| 30 | Jamie Garrett | JR | F | 6-0 | Liberty, MO | Southwest Baptist University |
| 32 | Kelsey Quirarte | JR | F | 5-11 | Independence, MO | Truman HS |
| 33 | Anna Belousova | JR | G | 5-9 | Riga, Latvia | KCKCC |
| 34 | Savanna Oakes | FR | F | 6-0 | Truro, IA | I-35 HS |
