On Leading Well: Soren Richardson ’27

Soren Richardson ’27 was one of the few returning players for the Thunder men’s basketball team in the 2024–25 season. In his second year, he quickly emerged as a leader of this young team. “Sometimes I forget Soren is only a sophomore,” said Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Schauer ’93, M.A. ’96, partly because Richardson’s stat line is one of a seasoned veteran. Richardson led the team this season in minutes per game (34.5), points per game (23.1), and steals (38).

On February 5, 2025, Richardson scored 53 points to help the Thunder defeat North Park University. The performance marked a new career high for Richardson, the third-highest single-game total in program history, and the third-highest tally in a game across all NCAA divisions this season.

Yet when asked about his favorite on-court memories from the season, Richardson recalls a hustle play to collect a loose ball that led to a layup for the Thunder. “You would have thought we had just hit a game-winner because the whole bench was exploding,” he said. “It shows the level of brotherhood we have, that we’re going to celebrate those small things and find joy in giving maximum effort, no matter what our record may be or what the score is.”

An education major, Richardson quotes one of his Wheaton professors as he reflects on the attitude he strives to bring to the team. “‘The Christian life is about living unwell, well.’ In times of adversity, how can we strive to press on faithfully and remain peaceful amidst the adversity?” With two years left to play, Richardson strives to embody what it takes to lead a team through whatever comes.

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Throwback: Frances Barrett Swartz ’82

When Frances Barrett Swartz ’82 was a member of Wheaton’s women’s basketball team, she was a two-time team MVP and became the first Wheaton women’s basketball player to reach 1,000 career points. She currently ranks ninth all-time in career scoring with 1,119 points and fifth in career rebounds with 696 in 73 games played. During her four years, the women’s basketball teams had a combined record of 59-33. Throughout her time at Wheaton, Swartz grew as a result of the challenges she faced. “During my athletic career, I learned through several injuries that participating in athletics is a gift from God which must be daily surrendered to him,” she said. “I found that basketball was most enjoyable when I made sure God was in first place.” Swartz was inducted into the Wheaton Hall of Honor in 1993.