New Concord athletic director discusses controversial past, goals for program

ELKHART, Ind. -- July 1 marked a new era for Concord Community Schools, welcoming Rick Court as the district's new athletic director.

Court holds a wealth of experience in athletics, but his past is not without controversy.

Court acknowledges what took place in the past, but has his sights set on building a new culture and foundation for Concord schools' athletics.

Rick Court took over as Concord athletic director in July, after the previous athletic director was there three decades.

Court shared with ABC57 his vision for Concord Athletics.

"I want us to be the best around, I want us to be the flagship school in this area and the state of Indiana, and I want our kids to have the very best from an athletics standpoint, I want their experience to be great, and I want our coaches to have the resources necessary to provide our kids the best," said Court.

Court worked at colleges like Ohio State, and at the University of Maryland, where he was head strength coach.

But his time with the Terrapins was cut short after reaching a settlement with Maryland in August 2018.

An investigation revealed alleged situations in which Court threw weights, food, and a trash can that had vomit in it at players.

His departure also happened a couple months after an offensive lineman died from heatstroke.

ABC57 asked Court what he would say to people who feel he shouldn't have this position.

"I'm here to work, I'm here to serve the community, and do the best that I can every day for our student athletes, parents, community and coaches," said Court.

Before hiring Court, Concord Schools tells ABC57 they spoke to a former student athlete, an athletic administrator, and the head football coach at the time at the University of Maryland.

Concord Schools released a statement to ABC 57 saying in part, "we also contacted administrators and coaches at Greenville Public Schools, who reported that Mr. Court has done an outstanding job during his time in Michigan and described him as a positive influence on student-athletes, with one reference characterizing him as a 'life changer' for students."

Court says he wants to be a boots on the ground leader.

"You can look around and look at these facilities right now, there's facility plans that are in the works, we've got some coaches that are long tenured, that shows that there's some stability in the athletic department, there's some winning traditions all around our athletic department, and that's something I wanted to be a part of," said Court.

The first major sporting event under Court's department is next weekend.

Concord takes on South Bend Saint Joseph at Jake Field a week from today to kick off their season.