November 30, 2017
Chris Rich, a 2006 Linganore graduate, is the 2017 Distinguished Graduate honoree in Public Service.
Rich was a four sport athlete while in high school, including football, basketball, track and field and tennis. His love for sports has helped to shape his career working with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FCA.
“I love sports, and, more than anything I love Jesus. So, the opportunity to combine the two and share with others these two passions is a perfect fit for me!” said Rich.
After graduating from Grove City College in 2010, with a degree in Biblical and Religious studies and a minor in Communications, Rich went on to become the FCA area representative for Frederick County until 2011 when he became the area director.
Rich continued to move through the ranks with FCA. In 2014, he took on his current position as the first State Director for Pennsylvania. Rich is charged with the vision casting, fundraising and overseeing of the ministry in Pennsylvania.
Rich never imagine working with FCA. He dreamed of catching touchdown passes for the Dallas Cowboys or making baskets for the Washington Wizards.
“I always dreamed of being a professional athlete. I was a competitor with high aspirations. I now get the opportunity to work with professional athletes and I love what I do. I wouldn’t trade it,” said Rich.
Rich speaks to a variety of different teams, ranging from NFL teams to middle school basketball leagues.
During his times at Linganore, Rich was a member of National Honor Society and was Vice President for the class of 2006. Rich participated in Mr. Linganore in 2006 and came in second.
His favorite class was math, especially calculus, because he loved the challenge. “I loved my time at Linganore,” Rich said
Rich’s family is deeply involved in the community. His mom, Kathryn, and his brother, Michael, both work at Linganore. Michael is the offensive line coach for the varsity football team. Rich’s father, Roger, teaches business at Oakdale High School and is the JV football coach at Oakdale. His sister, Brittany, is a cosmetologist at A Do or Dye salon in Mt. Airy.
Roger Rich is the pastor at Lakeview Church in New Market. Rich’s Parents are in charge of Impact Frederick, a week long mission to serve in the Frederick Community. Rich is married with two sons, a one year-old and a three year-old.
“I have always looked up to him and he has always been a big role model in my life. He is always caring about other people and looking to serve others. He has shown me how to grow in my faith, how to treat people with love and kindness, and how to be a leader,” said Michael Rich.
During Rich’s speech at the Distinguished Graduate Ceremony, he told the Class of 2021 that he cares about his legacy. Rich challenged the freshman to “leave a legacy” at Linganore.
“I learned that I needed to take a stand and be bold. Not to just be tossed by the wind and what people think of you. In a lot of ways, I made mistakes and learned from them throughout high school,” said Rich.
Rich said that while in high school, his only focus was football and that is how he decided his worth. After high school, he learned that that his worth shouldn’t be found in things.
In his speech he said, “Your identity is in nothing you do. It is in who you are and who you were created to be”
Rich ended his speech saying that he will always be a Linganore fan.
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