Richard Konzem was named the head coach for the women’s golf team in 2014 and added the head men’s team coaching duties in 2016. He has been involved in intercollegiate athletics for over 40 years, including four years as Director of Athletics at Rockhurst University from 2007-11. During his tenure he has served on the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee for both men’s and women’s golf.
With a strong focus on academic achievement, 20 women’s team members have been named WGCA All-American Scholars on 39 occasions. His women’s teams have been recognized with the WGCA All-Scholar Team GPA Award finishing 19th in the nation in 2020-21, seventh in 2019-20, 17th in 2018-19 and 22nd in 2014-15.
On the men’s side, eight men’s team members have been named GCAA All-America Scholars on 13 occasions. All six of his teams have been recognized by the GCAA with the Outstanding Team Academic Awards including four teams with the President’s Special Recognition Award in 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20 and 2016-17.
Konzem has coached RU women's teams to 15 tournament championships and RU men's teams to seven tournament wins. The women’s team has established school records for team season scoring average, 18-hole, 36-hole and 54-hole scores. Individuals have posted school records for career scoring average, season scoring average, 18-hole, 36-hole and 54-hole scores. The men’s team established school records for 18-hole and 36-hole team scores.
Konzem spent 23 years at the University of Kansas serving in a variety of capacities, including Interim Athletic Director. As KU’s Senior Associate Athletic Director, he supervised Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Football, Baseball and Golf, as well as events/facilities/operations. Konzem also served as Director of Athletics at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, and was the Chief Operating Officer for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America in Lawrence, Kansas. He serves as a volunteer rules official for the Central Links Golf Association and was the media coordinator for the Kansas Open Golf Tournament.
A native of Salina, Kansas, Konzem graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in business while serving as a student manager for the track and field team. He received a Master’s degree in Sports Administration and worked in the athletic department at the University of Southern California. Konzem, and his wife, Debbie, live in Lawrence, Kansas. He has two adult children: Scott and wife Rachel in Washington, D.C. and Sally, husband Andy and granddaughter Molly in Salem, Oregon.
