Mark Richt says decision to sell Lake Hartwell property was Christian motivated
Mark Richt said the decision of sell his second home on Lake Hartwell was in order to be able to give more to the less fortunate. (AJC photo by Curtis Comption)
I had to laugh earlier today when a colleague at work pointed out that the independent blog “SportsByBrooks” was reporting that Mark Richt had placed his Lake Hartwell home up for sale.
Predictably, “Brooks” — aka freelance journalist Brooks Melchior, 43, of Los Angeles — makes the leap that Richt selling off his property surely must mean that Richt is in real trouble as the head football coach of the Georgia Bulldogs.
Writes Brooks: “Normally, I don’t subscribe to a coach putting a home up for sale as a sign of anything, but in this case, it might be applicable. . . . Richt doesn’t strike me as a guy out to flip houses, so I think it’s reasonable to surmise that last year’s 6-7 record — and the subsequent outcry emanating from Athens — may have something to do with the coach making over his real estate portfolio.”
I found this funny because Richt told me several weeks ago that he and his wife had decided to place their second home on the market and he told me why. He revealed that to me in an off-the-record meeting we had shortly after I had been placed back on the UGA beat. Actually, I initiated the discussion when I told Richt that my wife and I were considering downsizing but were afraid we would take too much of a financial hit with the economic times being what they are. Richt told me then what he and Katharyn were doing and actually predicted what the reaction would be if and when it went public.
With the cat out of the bag, so to speak, I called Richt Wednesday and asked him to explain again — this time on the record — what he and wife were thinking when they decided to sell the lakehouse. I’ll just let him tell it:
“Within the last year, I read this book, “The Hole in Our Gospel,” written by Richard Stearns. He’s the president of World Vision, U.S. I think people understand who World Vision is but, basically, they help the poor. Through their organization, you can help children, you can help build wells, you can buy them donkeys, whatever people need. World Vision helps people across the world. Well, anyway, there was a lot of statistical data in there about the amount of people that live on a dollar a day around this world. Billions of people. So I’m reading this book and it really affected me. It helped me realize that what we have is way more than we need and that our ability to give is hindered by this property. I guess that’s the best way to tell you. We just wanted to be in a better position to give and bless people that don’t have anything. We felt like this was one way to be able to do that.”
The house and surrounding acreage was listed for $1.99 million on May 17. Richt had the Hart County home built in 2009, about the time his oldest son Jon Richt signed a scholarship to play football at nearby Clemson University. Jon Richt transferred to Mars Hill College shortly after Tommy Bowden was dismissed as Clemson’s coach.
Richt makes more than $3 million a year as Georgia’s coach and has earned more than $25 million in income from UGA since being hired in 2001. So it’s not like he can no longer afford it or is concerned that, without the Georgia job, eventually won’t be able to.
“Our ability to own this home, to have this home, that’s not an issue,” Richt said Wednesday. “It has absolutely nothing to do with anything that has to do with football. It has to do my wife’s desire and my desire to give.
“I was actually compelled to do this much earlier,” he added. “I made the decision to do it a while ago but I didn’t want to do it during the season or during recruiting because I knew it would be blown out of proportion. But it’s been on my heart for a long time, so we’re just going ahead and doing it.”
As for the book that served as Richt’s inspiration, you can read about it HERE. Stearns writes that 40 percent of the world’s population lives on less than $2 a day and 15 percent of the world’s people, about 1 billion people, live on less than $1 a day. The United States, on average, lives on $105 a day, the book claims.
“I’d challenge anybody to read this book and not be affected by it, Richt said. “We just live in such wealth here in America. And I’m talking about everybody. Anybody who’s making 30 grand a year is extremely wealthy compared to rest of the people in the world. These kids, these families will walk two or three miles, half a day or more, to get water that’s really not healthy. They’re drinking stuff that’s not safe for them. Then children die of AIDS, they die of malaria and they die of dehydration. Kids end up dying or the parents die and they’ve got nothing.
“This book just talks about how much of that is going on around the world and, if it was sitting right outside our door, what would we do about it? It’s a very compelling book. Compelling enough for me to say, ‘you know what, I don’t want to pour money into a home like that when I can use it for better things, for eternal things.’ It was just very alarming to find out what’s going on out there and we need to do something about it.”
As has been Richt’s style, he’s doing more about it than selling off his property. He and his family are taking a trip to Honduras this summer with World Vision to observe and assist in the construction of water wells.
As for the SportsbyBrooks report and the predictable assumptions made by it, Richt laughed and said “maybe some good will come from it.”
“If this situation gets people to read this book and gets people more interested in helping the poor, then I’m happy about it,” he said. “I hope other people respond. It’s a very compelling book and if people read it, I think they’ll understand where I’m coming from.”
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398 comments Add your comment
tide roll
May 26th, 2011
1:49 pm
Ploy to remind athletic board members what a great guy he is? why go public with all this now? why remind us all of the annual Hondurus trip? The timing of it all can’t help but make you wonder. Earlier post said the land was donated to Richt together with majority of building materials. Simply transferring the charity he benefited from to another cause.
UA
May 26th, 2011
1:52 pm
Great story. Thx.
Jason
May 26th, 2011
1:54 pm
Another great book on this topic — and one that’s burning up the charts — is by UGA grad and pastor David Platt called “Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream.” Awesome stuff! … Say what you want about Richt as a football coach, but his faith guides how he lives instead of being simple lip service.
DDawgie11
May 26th, 2011
1:55 pm
To some, Richt seems more ‘cursed’ than ‘blessed’.
2 coaches transferred.
2 Elite QB’s left the team.
1 Elite RB left the team.
12-14 in last 2 years, 2-9 vs. ranked teams, 0 & 6 vs. winning teams in 2010.
Arrests galore.
What else can go wrong???
It’s as if everything associated with Richt atrophies.
Saban
May 26th, 2011
2:09 pm
I think I am going to throw up.
This buys him 2 more losing seasons, and a beatdown by Coastal Carolina at homecoming.
Pass the biscuits. Keep the big checks coming for nothing.
Noles
May 26th, 2011
2:11 pm
Bobby Bowden’s record in the early to mid 80’s:
6-5
9-3
7-5
7-3-2
9-3
7-4-1
I think Georgia fans would’ve run him off. I’m glad FSU kept him around. Even legendary coaches go through some lean years.
DIT
May 26th, 2011
2:40 pm
@Jason – Another great book on this topic — and one that’s burning up the charts — is by UGA grad and pastor David Platt called “Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream.” Awesome stuff! … Say what you want about Richt as a football coach, but his faith guides how he lives instead of being simple lip service.
Read it! Awesome read. I’m starting his second Radical book as we speak! It’s a must read.
TTOUGH44
May 26th, 2011
2:44 pm
God Bless You and your family Coach R.
Truth Squad
May 26th, 2011
2:45 pm
I’m sorry, but I’m not impressed at all. I’m happy CMR read a book and discovered poverty exists in most of the world, but gee, there’s 44 million living in poverty right here in this country. Some of them use to have nice families and second homes as well.
Why are the same Americans impressed by a story such as this, the same ones that turn around and vote to hand over more tax money to rich folks? Then after decades of handing the tax earned by working people, these same voters become concerned that the nation has debt (depending on who is in office) and so insist upon withdrawing aid to feed American children and families. We’re one election away from putting our seniors back into poor houses while turning their hard earned benefits over to corporations.
I’d be more impressed if CMR had the Christian gumption to address that! But he will not because, in the end, he cares more about making those millions than people living in poverty right here in his own state and country.
Jolly Trots
May 26th, 2011
2:47 pm
The photo of Richt above looks like he is demonstrating a power dump on the throne….. just saying
DAWG ONE
May 26th, 2011
2:47 pm
GT79 and others like him, are the real character bloggers on here. Decent, caring and realist all, knowing that a game is just that. Everyone wants to win, but in the game of life, winners are decent people like GT79 and Mark Richt.
Some need to step back, examine their values, try and remember the quality things they have been taught, and most of all, be thankful for the blessings we all have. One blessing we ALL have happens to be people like the Richt’s.
DIT
May 26th, 2011
2:47 pm
@Truth Squad
What??? You have no idea who CMR is and what he does with a good bit of his income. When was the last time you went on a Mission trip to “truly” serve the Lord?” …………… That’s what I thought.
Poverty stricken
May 26th, 2011
2:53 pm
Richts needs to take advice from this former precha man on world hunger. Then coach football. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0q4o58pKwA
tide roll
May 26th, 2011
2:54 pm
UGA Athletic Board votes to use huge budget to pay for Dawg fans’ tickets to Florida game. Says it’s to compensate for their pain and suffering.
SickandTired
May 26th, 2011
3:00 pm
The Elite coaches have lake houses such as Saban at Lake Burton because they genuinely need a place to get away from the pressure of the spotlight in SEC Football. They put so much into coaching and concentrating on preparing to win that they are just simply exhausted and need a place to recharge the batteries. They are paid millions to win games and championships. Markj Richts reason for selling his home while admirable as a human being is very telling about his focus. This isn’t an attack on him. Good for him and his intentions. What this is, is, a telling insight into the fact that his isn’t totally dedicated to bringing a championship to the University of Georgia. Good for the starving kids in Africa, bad for the long overdue fans in Athens.
1eyedJack
May 26th, 2011
3:03 pm
Truth Squad = Liberal Democrat
DDawgie11 = Mouth-breathing knuckle dragger
The Righteous Pastor Mike Huckabee
May 26th, 2011
3:10 pm
Who cares how many games you lose, even when it’s to UCF or Colorado? What qualifies Richt for the job is that Mark Richt is a decent, Christian. Heck, I almost won me a presidency after governing. Who’d a thunk it? Snake handling preacher turned Prez… Coach can always host his own Fox News show after another 6 win year.
prpldawg
May 26th, 2011
3:13 pm
I read the great SI article about the Tuscaloosa tornadoes. When he had people over I believe it said they had a prayer for the families. He did not talk about recruiting a DL. Tragedy puts the true value of things in perspective. God Bless Richt, and UGA for having a class person as head coach.
LoganvilleDAWG
May 26th, 2011
3:27 pm
Ddawgie11, you are a dipstick & a idiot. Coach Richt has never gray shirted a player, any good coach would try to get his players to play instead of missing 4 games. There are more UGA players in the NFL than than any other SEC school. Until you know college football & this great program go lay an egg or let your dog doggie you. Coach Richt is a very good man, he has more faith than all the negative so called UGA fans on this blog have, I know he has more than me.Why can’t you people support this man & our players. Yes we had a bad season last year but so do other schools. He is doing the right thing by getting these players off the team, such as Ealey, Dowtin, etc…So you and all the other fans(joke) that say they like UGA, get a life.
LoganvilleDAWG
May 26th, 2011
3:35 pm
Ddawgie11, your comments get more stupid every time you come up with something. The 2 QB’s, 1 made a bad choice & had to face reality, the other transferred because he wasn’t a SEC QB. The running back is not an elite back, he is a guy that thinks he is better than anyone else, NO team player.The 2 coaches left for Texas & the other the NFL. The arrests galore happens to alot more programs but its pushed under the rug, by being close to the ATL they are going to get in the spotlight more, good or bad. So come up with some positive comments or shut up!!!
Scrufy
May 26th, 2011
3:39 pm
Coach Richt has taken the high road here. We at Boise State consider this coach with very high regard. Only God can pierce a persons heart to consider the poor and downcast. Bless you coach Richt for this commitment to Christ who came to serve as a friend and savior.
Basher
May 26th, 2011
3:47 pm
DDawgie11 lets lay it out for you…UGA is going to beat Boise like well they a WAC team. I heard all this last time they came to Athens….get on with your life and don’t let your UGA envy ruin your life .
beebee
May 26th, 2011
3:59 pm
Dawg fans, get real!
The kind acts are nice and everything.
But on Saturdays, you people don’t care about anything but seeing your team WIN!
What that does NOT happen enough, the FIRST thing you’ll want gone will be the “do-gooder.”
Richt may be the disciple you want and need.
But he ain’t the coach you want and need.
beebee's girlfriend sleebee
May 26th, 2011
3:59 pm
“WHEN” that does not happen, I meant to say…
Lamar
May 26th, 2011
4:06 pm
Unlike half the coaches in football who enlist the aid of their PR departments to broadcast their every good deed, CMR gives the way GOD intended – ANONYMOUSLY !!! The Lord works in mysterious ways. Now, a number of people who have never heard of the book or World Vision will check either out and the world will be a better place.
Kenneth Barrner
May 26th, 2011
4:32 pm
I AM NOT A GEORGIA FAN. I DO NOT KNOW IF HE WILL BE FIRED. I HAVE HOWEVER WATCHED THIS MAN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. HE IS A GOOD CHRISTIAM MAN AND THIS MOVE OF HIS IS NOT SURPRISING TO ME. I WISH HIM WELL.
thankful
May 26th, 2011
4:35 pm
The amazing thing about these comments is that the Tech fans all say how much they admire and respect Richt. He is better than we deserve, according to them. And then some ignorant UGA fans come on here and trash him because he’s a man of faith and wants to give more to the poor. For the first time in my life, I agree with the Techsters.
rexdogma
May 26th, 2011
4:42 pm
Richt is nothing but a slick tv preacher. I don’t believe anything he says.
madmonq
May 26th, 2011
5:11 pm
I know this is a drop in the bucket but I’ll give it a try.
As a long time resident of Athens I’d glad to be rid of it game days but know it also serves a purpose. All of the ultra nasty people who show up to stank up the downtown area with vomit would never think to spend a dime on someone else. Georgia F’in football is their god, not Jesus. No matter what these same morons will do or say on the Sunday following.
I could give a damn whether Mark Richt stays on as coach or not, fans will just find someone new to worship and dump on. But I am deeply impressed by Mr Richt’s LIBERAL take on poverty in the world by acting like Jesus. Not the collection of over privileged ultra d-bags who’d rather pay the way of some future dropout/criminal/used car salesman, rather than donate to the poor. D-bags who think Georgia football actually matters in real life. Thank you Mr Richt.
bitter seen to much of the world--"dude"
May 26th, 2011
8:38 pm
thruth squade————thruth is nobody wants to here the truth——–this country is about as simple
——–as dale (neck car) eanhart said –quote–2nd place is just the 1st looser———
——————deal with it—–we american’s only truly care about?????me-me-me
———————f—the poor—–hungry—–old————-sorry just a hard look at the truth
D-dawg
May 26th, 2011
9:32 pm
It is nobody’s business what Mark and Kathy Richt do with any of their houses. “Judge not that ye be not judged”. Can’t wait to read the book and hope you ALL will read it then blog about your own reaction not someone else’s. Nothing any of us says is important to Coach Richt. He is a man of deep faith who is walking the walk not just talking the talk. Let’s tend to our own business and worry about our own lives. When the real judgment comes you will only have to account for what you have done and said in this life – think about it!!!!
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 27th, 2011
5:53 am
Anybody that questions why he went public with this just doesn’t get it. Just look at all the negative comments on here about, he can’t coach, he has an anterior motive, or some other sad comment. He was probably trying to put any rumors to rest before they started. Obviously, with the majority of the folks who post on these blogs, it makes little difference. It doesn’t appear, at least from what I can read most of the time on these blogs, that most DAWG fans appreciate what they have in CMR, and combined with all the other people who support other schools on these blogs, it is a good thing he doesn’t pay attention to most of you. Some of you expect perfection all of the time, and some of you refuse to back up statements with any reasoning. You supposedly negative supporters of UGA don’t deserve a good football team, an honest coach, and you might as well go for the other teams. You don’t support UGA. I think some Florida fan said a couple of days ago , that UGA had the worst, supportive fans around and I believe he is right. Your negative comments add fuel to some of the nasty folks that come on these blogs, discourage recruits , who also read these blogs, and make you appear to be fair weather fans. It is a sad commentary, but that appears to be they way society is going these days. And you wonder why the rest of the country looks down on this region so much.
I realize this will just give some of you fodder to post negative crap about me, and I personally do not care. But you should at least have and show some decency towards a good man, who is trying his best and sets an example that you should try to strive to be, not cut down.
JMingh
May 27th, 2011
6:07 am
Coach Richt is the example that the sports world needs. You band wagon Dawg fans need to just stop and accept the fact no one wins all the time. He will right the ship and the Bulldog Nation will once again be on top.
Thanks Coach Richt for all you do!
Vol Fan
May 27th, 2011
7:40 am
Glad Richt stands for something. Many other coaches have decided winning is the only thing in life. It isn’t. Eternity will prove that. What have you done for the poor? Don’t compare yourself to others. Compare yourself to the scriptures and we are all lacking. Richt has listened to his conscience.
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 27th, 2011
8:45 am
CMR is at a unique disadvantage in the coaching fraternity because he is honest and actually cares for the student athlete. Sadly, many alumni and it would seem the majority of the fans that support college football, don’t care how a coach wins, they just want him to win. Some of the college administrators feel the same way. I suppose if UGA doesn’t come out with 10 wins this year, the demand will be for CMR’s head. He will be dismissed and UGA can find a coach, maybe even one with questionable methods to get them their required stature and number of wins, that satisfies their need to have bragging rights amongst their peers. I think it will be a sad day for UGA football, but what the heck, I am just one person so no big deal either way. It will be hard to find a man of his caliber though again, as they do not make too many decent coaches, that actually hold themselves and the athletes to high standards in the NCAA. O
one only needs to look no further than the SEC, to see that.
Until then,
GO DAWGS
Reid Fogler (life long Gator fan)
May 27th, 2011
9:09 am
We did small group in home study of the book “The Hole in Our Gospel,” written by Richard Stearns. and it is a compelling read. I think it is wonderful that Coach Richt and his family are actively living their faith. One of the points that the book makes is that there is so much that can be done for the least of us, don’t let the vast problems and challenges prevent you from doing something. I believe it is easy to be critical, but it is rewarding to do something for someone else. The Richt family will have changed at least one life for the better, and that is what we all should do.
Go Gators!
StephBga
May 27th, 2011
1:18 pm
Thanks Chip! Great story–maybe your readers would enjoy Sean Seay’s series “Overflow”. Find it at Athenschurch.com… Coach Richt sets a great example of a man seeking to serve others from his own overflow.
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 27th, 2011
8:30 pm
BEEBEE,
Do you know what coach UGA fans need or want? Do you have a suggestion for one. I doubt it. Losers complain but offer no solutions. True UGA fans know CMR is a good coach and of course he is a good man. He will get this program turned around and on the right path. Not a blogger in here, UGA fan or not, knows 1/10th of what that man knows about football. All of you super knowledgeable football people that know so much about football, should all go apply for the job. It seems, you folks, know how to coach from just watching the game.
GO DAWGS
G Vincent Foreman
May 27th, 2011
11:10 pm
The more I read about Mark Richt the more I’m coming to understand that Richt is going through what is commonly called a ‘mid-life crises’. Comments make in an earlier article by Richt emphasized the fact his new home on Lake Hartwell gave him…’”a 50- or 60-minute ride to the office…you’ve got a chance to get football out of your mind on the way home and be able to relax a little bit.” Excuse me!!! You’re not paid 3 million a year to ‘get football out of your mind’. I could never/ever imagine Vince Dooley making such a statement, just as I could never imagine Vince Dooley living anywhere else but Athens, GA. No Mark, you have to decide, either you’re going to be a full time head coach of the great University of Georgia or do something else. Mark, the sooner you make such a decision with respect the role you will pursue, the sooner you decide exactly what your role will be with respect to coaching, ministry, etc., the sooner UGA will regain its rightful statue in college football, i.e, being one of the most feared/revered college football programs in the country. UGA deserves better, you deserve better.
ladydawg60
May 27th, 2011
11:57 pm
I think Coach Richt is one of the finest men in college football today. He is a faithful servant of God. We are challenged to go into the world and preach the gospel. That does not mean you have to be a preacher. It is living life the way our Savior told us to do. We have our second home on the market as well. It cost money to keep a second home going regardless of who owns the house. And we to are doing this so that we may share with others what we have been so richly given to us by God. As for the la guy, he needs to blog about mr.reggie bush and his family who was on the take while at usc. I don’t blame the coach, i blame the player and his family. I also blame the school for trying to cover it up. I am a dawg fan and will die as one. Hopefully, coach richt will outlive me and still be there coaching when i leave this earth. We need more godly men and women in sports today. We have enough bad boys out there using the system to take them to the mooney game. that is if the nfl is still in existance.
Hmmmm
May 28th, 2011
12:03 pm
It stings a little to see commentary defending christian values followed by derisive stabs at others’ lifestyles, flaws, opinions, etc. It seems to be in sharp contrast to the values that we should espouse. If we are to attract others to faithfully follow in this mission based on acceptance of such inevitable flaws in an effort to enrich lives and encourage the pursuit of a greater purpose, then I believe condescension is counter-productive. I feel the same way about the fire and brimstone evangelists on gamedays in Athens. It’s seems hard to believe that these efforts do not turn more people off than they win over. I want to see the Dawgs win as much as anyone, and whether or not Richt is the man to take us back to the glory days, I’m thankful at least for the fact that he has us talking about bigger things.
Renee
May 28th, 2011
4:12 pm
Thank you. God bless you
Oracle of Marietta
May 29th, 2011
3:56 am
If richt was of a different religion from you, would you be so accepting of his outspoken faith? What if he was Arabic and sold his house for Allah? As an employee of a state university with no religious affiliation, what role does he have in fostering religious beliefs?
You don’t hear about Saban, Spurriers, Dooley, or even Bear Bryant religious beliefs that much. Why does Richt’s matter?
Hmmmm
May 29th, 2011
9:31 am
Oracle – I can’t speak for all, but I like to think that I would be accepting of his outspoken faith if these were the circumstances. Actually, that’s somewhat aligned with my point. The fact of the matter is that Coach Richt is taking this step to help people who are in need, and regardless of whether this is done in the name of Christianity, Islam, etc., it’s an act of love for the good of humanity. More than promoting religious dogma, he is demonstrating the actions that his religion has compelled him to take for the greater good. I applaud this from any religion. I am of Christian faith, but I believe that it is a parochial perspective to believe that only those who share your religious beliefs should be celebrated or revered when they do good for the world.
Christian School Teacher
May 29th, 2011
8:17 pm
Good for you CMR. I believe in doing good things for people because it is good for the soul. It, however, is not a ticket to the golden roads of Heaven. Your key to heaven is in your heart not your actions. Perhaps you all, who are so consumed with football that you fail to see the big picture, should take a lesson from a teacher and a coach. Look in your heart and tell me there isn’t a glimmer of admiration. If you don’t see it than you, my dear, are in a great deal more trouble than the next season of Dawg football. CMR may not save the Dawgs but it may save a lost soul looking for someone to look up to. As for his past actions, I ask you what Jesus died on the cross for? Did he not die for our sins? Did our lord not give up his only son for the love of humanity to which we are not worthy? Who are you to decide if he is or isn’t a Christian? Turn that “high power of preception” on yourself and look at your own heart. You know. Maybe not everyone else but deep down inside you know who you are and he knows who he is.
Mike Price
May 29th, 2011
10:32 pm
So basically CMR is saying he can buy a lot of Ass with 2 million dollars.
‘The Hole In Our Gospel’ inspires football coach to sell his home | WORLD VISION BLOG
May 31st, 2011
3:32 pm
[...] My email inbox is notorious for housing second-hand articles from my colleagues about new technology, philanthropy, trends in new media, or nonprofit stories — my typical work-related interests. But last week, several work friends sent me the UGA Sports Blog article, “Mark Richt sells Lake Hartwell property.” [...]
Do the Word |
June 1st, 2011
3:28 pm
[...] “Within the last year, I read this book, The Hole in Our Gospel, written by Richard Stearns. He’s the president of World Vision, U.S. I think people understand who World Vision is but, basically, they help the poor. Through their organization, you can help children, you can help build wells, you can buy them donkeys, whatever people need. World Vision helps people across the world. Well, anyway, there was a lot of statistical data in there about the amount of people that live on a dollar a day around this world. Billions of people. So I’m reading this book and it really affected me. It helped me realize that what we have is way more than we need and that our ability to give is hindered by this property. I guess that’s the best way to tell you. We just wanted to be in a better position to give and bless people that don’t have anything. We felt like this was one way to be able to do that.” (You can read the full article here.) [...]