Dot Richardson - Struggles To Become Doctor, Olympian

After earning a master's degree in exercise physiology from Adelphi University in 1988, Richardson entered the University of Louisville School of Medicine and kept up the frenetic pace of softball and academics. Merging her two passions began to prove problematic. During Richardson's second year of medical school, she concentrated so fiercely on making the USA World Championship team that she failed her boards and had to repeat the year. During her repeat year, she concentrated more on school and failed to make the U.S. Pan American team.

Just as Richardson contemplated giving up softball, the International Olympic Committee announced that the sport would become at Olympic event at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Richardson couldn't quit now.

Richardson stepped up her softball training and simultaneously began her demanding residency in orthopedic surgery at the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center. By now, Richardson was playing for the Raybestos Brakettes, a softball team based in Stratford, Connecticut. It was common for Richardson to finish a shift at the hospital, then fly across the country to join her team for a doubleheader.

Richardson found it increasingly hard to train. She purchased a treadmill for her residence and also set up a net and a pitching machine in her bedroom so she could practice her hitting at night. It wasn't long before she received a letter asking that she train for the Olympics at a more reasonable hour. Her work, however, paid off, and Richardson made the Olympic team.