From April 7-13, the NCAA celebrates Division III Week --
seven days devoted to the accomplishments of the student-athletes
in D3. The goal of the celebration is to raise awareness of
Heidelberg and other D3 schools across the nation.
This story is the first of a six-part series highlighting
the student-athletes at Heidelberg University. It was written
by Kyle Youngblood, '12, graduate assistant in the Office of
Athletic Marketing & Information.
For more information on Heidelberg's D3 Week activities,
visit the
D3 Week homepage.
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Growing up on the east side of Cleveland, an area known for its
grim, gray clouds, adverse living conditions and contemptible
character, life is far from perfect. It can be difficult to find
hope and direction as a young, talented African-American male.
Fighting the urge to fall into "the cycle" is a daily battle.
Heidelberg University junior Richard Dowdley is no stranger to
the challenges that inner-city Cleveland poses. Despite all of the
societal shortcomings that he faced growing up, Richard not only
made it out, he has excelled.
"I didn't want to be stuck in that cycle of the street life and
being a gang banger," said Dowdley. "Once you get caught in that,
you can't get out and then you have to raise your kids in that
environment. It never ends."
In 2010, Dowdley's senior year of high school, the Cleveland
Metropolitan School District 
graduated just 52.2 percent of its students. With declining
graduation rates in area schools, climbing poverty levels and a
rise in gun violence -- Cleveland's gun-related death rate, 25.2
percent, ranks ninth among major U.S. cities -- the prospect of a
college education seems unrealistic for many.
However, in an environment that lacks in academic aptitude, the
East Cleveland native found success both academically and
athletically.
"I wanted to break free of that cycle and I knew that education
was a key factor in escaping that life," said Dowdley.
For Dowdley, his greatest motivation to achieve more than
society's expectations came in the form of one person, his mother
Darlene Brown.
"My mom played a big role in my success," he said. "She tried to
keep me involved and out of trouble while pushing me to succeed
academically. If I was being lazy or got a bad grade, she was on me
about it. Once I got to high school, I was pretty much
self-motivated but she kept on me and still motivates me now."
While surpassing academic standards, athletically, Dowdley's
first passion was football. It was not until his first year in high
school when he discovered competitive wrestling.
His love for the sport quickly grew.
"I started wrestling my freshman year in high school," said
Dowdley.
"My cousin was the one who got me interested. I originally
wanted to play basketball, but he kept bugging me to try wrestling
so I told him I would try it out because it was his senior year.
Once I started, I fell in love with it."
Dowdley attended Ginn Academy, a public, open enrollment,
all-male alternative school for classes, but participated in
athletics at Glenville High School. Being a two-sport athlete at
Glenville kept him busy and away from the damaging effects of drugs
and gang life.
His mother's guidance paired with the mentoring of his two
coaches, Ted Ginn Sr. and Gregory Dotson, Dowdley overcame the
temptation of the streets.
"When I got to high school and started playing football and
wrestling, Coach Ginn and Coach Dotson did a lot to keep me out of
trouble," said Dowdley. "Wrestling and football took up a lot of my
time. Going from season to season and staying busy helped me not
get trapped in that cycle."
Upon graduating from Ginn Academy as the salutatorian, Dowdley
traveled to Mercyhurst University. However, after year and a half
at Mercyhurst, he would find himself toting the Tricolor of
Heidelberg.
"I liked the small campus size, small class size and the feeling
of community at Heidelberg," said Dowdley.
On the mat, he immediately found success upon his arrival at the
Berg. After transferring in December, the 184-pounder placed third
at the 2013 Mideast Regional and advanced to the NCAA
Championships. He finished 17-7 on the season and was named
first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference. The former Tarblooder
helped the Student Princes claim their sixth OAC regular season
title.
Under the guidance of third-year head coach Ned Shuck, Dowdley's
physical and aggressive style of wrestling earned him another
first-team All-OAC selection as a junior. He finished 5-0 against
conference opponents and 20-15 overall. He was the only Student
Prince to be named Academic All-OAC while helping the Berg
grapplers claim their second consecutive OAC regular-season
title.
"Coach Shuck loves wrestling," said Dowdley. "His biggest thing
is changing talent into skill and bringing out the best of both of
them. He pushes me to be better every match, every practice, every
day."
At the collegiate level, Dowdley is not only gifted
athletically, but the accounting major holds a stellar GPA. Upon
graduation, he plans to pursue a career as a tax accountant, though
his future goals are still undefined.
"Rich is the type of guy that every coach wants to have on their
team," said Shuck. "He leads a life of excellence both on and off
the mat. Next year as a senior, he will be a leader for the younger
guys on the mat, in the classroom and around campus."
Assistant coach Joe Hada, a 1972 'Berg graduate, was
instrumental in making Dowdley a Student Prince.
"Rich is a mature young man who understands that what he does
today will affect the future," said Hada, who coached at Mentor
High School for decades. "He works hard to make his family, coaches
and our school proud."
Leading by example, Dowdley hopes that student-athletes at Ginn
Academy and Glenville will fall into his cycle, one filled
with academic excellence and athletic achievement.
